Prayer Starter - Sunday, November 16, 2025 Psalm 100 The Invitation to Come Close to God


Good Sunday Morning,

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” — Psalm 100:4 (NIV)

As the years go by, I’ve come to appreciate Psalm 100 more deeply. It’s a simple psalm, yet it carries a lifetime of truth. It reminds us that God is still who He has always been—our faithful Creator, our gentle Shepherd, and our ever-present Savior. And we are still His people, held firmly in His care.

When the psalmist invites us to enter His gates with thanksgiving, it isn’t just a suggestion. It’s an invitation to draw near to God with a heart that remembers His goodness. Thanksgiving has a way of lifting our eyes from life’s burdens and turning them toward the One who has carried us through every season.

I’ve learned that gratitude changes the atmosphere of the heart. It settles the spirit. It quiets the mind. It reminds us that every blessing we’ve received—big or small—has come from the hand of a loving Father. When we come to Him with thanks, we aren’t coming as people chasing more; we’re coming as children who have already received more grace than we can ever repay.

And as gratitude rises, so does praise. When we look back and see how God has guided us, protected us, comforted us, and forgiven us, joy begins to bloom again. Worship becomes less about our words and more about our relationship with Him—steady, sincere, and full of trust.

Whether we’re sitting with family, sharing a quiet cup of morning coffee, or lifting a silent prayer before the day begins, Psalm 100 calls us into God’s presence through the gentle doorway of thanksgiving. A grateful heart keeps joy alive.

Hope to see you in Worship today!

Father,
Thank You for all the ways You have shown Your love through the years. Your mercy has met me morning after morning, and Your faithfulness has carried me farther than I ever dreamed.

Teach me to begin each day with thanksgiving instead of worry, with praise instead of complaint. Let gratitude open my heart to Your presence.

May my life reflect the joy of walking with You. Let my words, my worship, and my daily choices give honor to Your name.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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