A Prayer for Cultivating a Grateful Spirit - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - October 7, 2026

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“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:17

Do you know what I’ve noticed? Complaining comes pretty naturally to me. If you give me a few minutes, I can very easily offer you a list of how something could be done better, what is going on in my life that is irritating me, and who is on my nerves at the moment. There are some days that I wake up, and almost everything about the whole world feels like an affront. 

I think this is why the Bible reminds us so many times to cultivate a grateful heart. Gratitude does not come naturally to us. Cultivate is a verb, or an action word, that means to prepare land to grow crops or to care for and help something grow over time. We have to take care to grow a heart of gratitude for the lives we’ve been given over time. If not, the weeds of bitterness, negativity, and nagging complaints will overtake our hearts. 

Gratitude is a spiritual discipline. It’s a choice that we have to make every day. We have to be intentional about creating rhythms of thanksgiving throughout our week. During a particularly dark season in my story, I chose to write a list of 1,000 things I was grateful for. Every day, I added to the list and recited its contents back to myself. 

Over time, this practice changed the way I saw the world. I noticed the beauty of the sunlight coming in while I did the dishes, rather than focusing on the drudgery of cleaning more dishes. I gave thanks for the slow days of early motherhood instead of dreading how they stretched out endlessly before me. I gave thanks for my changed Mom bod instead of lamenting the new lines and pounds I carried. Gratitude changes our hearts, which can change our lives. 

The following are some questions that can help us create more space for thanksgiving:

• How are we starting our day? Do we first notice what needs improvement, or are we pausing to thank God for a new opportunity to live? 
• When we face problems or frustrations, do we share our complaints with everyone we meet, or do we try to remain positive and find a solution? 
• Do we regularly express our gratitude for the efforts our loved ones make to care for us? 
• How often are we pausing at meals to thank God for his provision? 
• Are you ending your day with prayer and gratitude? 
• How often do you incorporate gratitude into special events or holidays? 
• Do you regularly give thanks to God for what he is doing in your life? 

These questions can help you identify times and ways to cultivate better rhythms of gratitude in your life. Simply adding morning and evening practices of giving thanks for God’s grace to your story can change your heart and help you live with peace and contentment. 

Every part of our story should be done for the Lord. We should thank God for his presence with us as we walk through the valley and for the joy we experience when life is at its best. Nothing is wasted when we are believers; God is always at work, even on those no-good, ultra-frustrating days! 

Let’s pray ...

Father,
I pray that you would help me to better cultivate gratitude in my daily life. Help me become more intentional in how I process the world around me, making positivity and joy my default. Forgive me for the ways I’ve let negativity, bitterness, complaints, gossip, and discontentment take up too much of my time and distract me from giving God the glory for his daily mercies. Give me eyes to see all the ways I am blessed.
Amen.

What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.

Feel like digging a little deeper? Here is a wonderful resource to meet you right where you are. 5 Comforting Psalms for When We Worry: A Guided Reflection Journal

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/vladans

Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

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