A Prayer for Gratitude in the Small Things
By: Alisha Headley
Bible Reading:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Listen or Read Below:
Some days, gratitude feels easy — when the doors open, when the test comes back clear, when the blessing is big and obvious. But most days, the everyday ordinary mundane days, it can be hard to find gratitude.
The truth is that gratitude isn’t only found in mountaintop miracles. It’s cultivated in the mundane — in the morning light peeking through the blinds, the laughter around the dinner table, the warmth of a coffee mug in your hands, the roof over your head. It’s in the text from a friend checking in. The giggle of a baby. The long walk that clears your mind. The peace that sneaks in at night when you realize, “I made it through another day.”
Today’s Scripture reminds us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse isn’t just a gentle suggestion — it’s a reminder that gratitude isn’t about what’s happening to us, but what’s happening within us. God’s will for us is to live with thankful hearts, no matter what the day brings, because thanksgiving keeps us aligned with His presence. Thanksgiving keeps us focused on Him. Thanksgiving keeps worry at bay.
When we only thank God for the big breakthroughs, we miss the daily miracles and the joy that is available to us every day.
I’ve noticed that when I slow down long enough to notice the small, sacred details — the sound of birds outside my window, the way my husband’s hand finds mine, the way God whispers truth through a verse I’ve read a hundred times — my heart softens. I start to see that God’s goodness isn’t an occasional event; it’s an ongoing presence. It teaches me to be content with each day and not look to the future.
We live in a world that glorifies “more.” More followers. More money. More progress. More everything. But the Kingdom of God often moves in the opposite direction — toward simplicity, contentment, and quiet joy. Jesus Himself thanked the Father for five loaves and two fish before the miracle of multiplication ever happened.
When we learn to see the fingerprints of God in the ordinary, life begins to look extraordinary. The day-to-day becomes holy ground. Gratitude shifts the atmosphere — not because our circumstances change, but because our perspective does.
If you’re in a season that feels simple, repetitive, or even small, maybe that’s exactly where God wants to meet you. Don’t overlook what’s right in front of you. There’s beauty in everyday. There’s purpose in the pause. And there’s joy to be found in simply being alive today.
Let’s Pray:
Father, thank You for the small things — the quiet gifts I often overlook. Forgive me for the times I’ve rushed past Your goodness, waiting for something “bigger” to thank You for. Open my eyes to see You in the details — in the laughter, in the stillness, in the simple routines of my life.
Thank You for breath in my lungs, for sunlight through the window, for food on my table, and for the people who love me. Thank you for the traffic I sit in with the car I get to drive.
Help me to live with a heart of continual gratitude, not because everything is perfect, but because You are perfect and Your plans for me are good. Teach me to pause, to notice, and to whisper thank You in the middle of the ordinary. May my life be one long thank-you note to You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AaronAmat
Alisha Headley is a writer + speaker who has a desire to meet the everyday woman in her everyday life with biblical truth. Stepping into her true calling, she left the corporate world behind as a former-financial VP to love on her family as a stay-at-home wifey + dog mama, while also being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Healing from a chapter of life consumed with lies she once believed about herself, she is inspired to point women to Christ to experience the freedom + power to overcome those lies with the truth written in God’s word. In her free time, Alisha enjoys road trips around the country, working out so she can eat her favorite foods, and creatively styling her outfits with a craft for fashion. Alisha is a proud wifey and dog mama living in Scottsdale, Arizona.
You can follow her blog by visiting her website alishaheadley.com or connect with her on facebook + instagram.
Related Resource: Starting 2026 with Intention: Confidence, Diligence, and God’s Direction
As we begin a brand-new year, I want to help you slow down and listen for God’s invitation in your life. In this episode, we kick off our One Word 2026 series — a simple, prayerful way to reflect on where you’ve been and discern how God may be inviting you to grow in the year ahead.
I introduce the heart behind choosing a spiritual “one word,” not as a goal to achieve, but as a posture to receive. We explore two of the six words I’ll be offering this month — confidence and diligence — and look at how Scripture invites us to grow, not by relying on our own strength, but by trusting God’s faithfulness over time.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Tuesday, 25 November 2025.
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