A Prayer of Gratitude and Abundance
"Ecclesiastes 5:18-20: Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with hearts overflowing with gratitude for the bountiful blessings You have bestowed upon us. In Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, we are reminded of the importance of savoring the fruits of our labor, of partaking in the abundance You have provided, and of rejoicing in the gifts of life. Lord, we thank You for the wisdom of Your Word that guides us in our journey, reminding us that it is good and comely to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all our toil that we undertake under the sun.
Lord, we acknowledge that every morsel of food we enjoy and every drop of drink we savor is a gift from Your gracious hand. We are aware that our labor is not in vain, for it is You who bestows upon us our portions. Help us to embrace each moment, to eat and drink with a spirit of joy and thanksgiving. May we never take for granted the simple pleasures of life, which are often overshadowed by the busyness and stress that so easily invade our daily routines. Teach us to slow down, to pause and appreciate the nourishment You provide, both physically and spiritually.
As we contemplate the words from Ecclesiastes, we are reminded that every man to whom You have given riches and wealth possesses a tremendous responsibility. Lord, grant us the wisdom to manage the resources You’ve entrusted to us. Help us to recognize that wealth is not merely for our comfort but a tool to serve others, to uplift those in need, and to expand Your Kingdom here on earth. Let us take joy in our labor, in the work we do not simply for ourselves, but also for the betterment of our communities and the glory of Your name.
Father, we ask for Your guidance in our pursuits. Let our endeavors be rooted in integrity and purpose, focusing not merely on financial gain, but on meaningful contributions that reflect Your love and grace. May our hearts be positioned to receive the joy that comes from working diligently and using our privileges to impact lives positively.
In these verses, we also find the truth that “he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.” Lord, we acknowledge that life is fleeting, and while we may toil under the sun, it is the joy of our hearts that sustains us. Help us to cultivate that joy even amidst challenges and uncertainties. May we turn our hearts toward You and recognize that true satisfaction does not come from material possessions, but from the treasure of Your presence in our lives.
As we reflect on the joy that You provide, we ask You to fill our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for the ordinary moments that bring us happiness. Whether it’s enjoying meals with loved ones, sharing laughter, or simply resting in Your presence—let us celebrate these gifts. Help us to be mindful of the world around us, to find awe in nature’s beauty, and to draw comfort from the companionship of those we hold dear.
Lord, we pray that we may live out the truth of these verses daily. May our lives be a testament to Your goodness, reflecting the abundance in our hearts as we celebrate the blessings of life. Let our joy be contagious, that in our gratitude and rejoicing, others may see Your grace and come to know You too.
In all things, may we glorify You, remembering that each day is a portion of grace given by Your hand. Teach us to cherish each moment and to live abundantly in the joy of our hearts. We give You all the glory and honor, in the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Artwork
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 - "This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart."
"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Ecclesiastes 5:20 - "For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart."
Ecclesiastes 5:18 - "¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion."
"For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart." - Ecclesiastes 5:20
Ecclesiastes 5:5 - "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
Ecclesiastes 7:20 - "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
Ecclesiastes 1:18 - "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Ecclesiastes 10:18 - "¶ By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through."
Ecclesiastes 3:20 - "All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again."
Ecclesiastes 9:18 - "Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good."
Ecclesiastes 5:9 - "¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."
Ecclesiastes 4:5 - "The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh."
Ecclesiastes 7:5 - "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."
Ecclesiastes 5:7 - "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God."
Ecclesiastes 2:20 - "Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 5:3 - "For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words."
Ecclesiastes 5:14 - "But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."
Ecclesiastes 10:5 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:"
Ecclesiastes 2:5 - "I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:"
Ecclesiastes 3:18 - "I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts."
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." - Ecclesiastes 7:20
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." - Ecclesiastes 5:5
Ecclesiastes 1:5 - "The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."
Ecclesiastes 5:10 - "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
Ecclesiastes 10:20 - "¶ Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter."
Ecclesiastes 5:13 - "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt."
Ecclesiastes 5:17 - "All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness."
Ecclesiastes 5:11 - "When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?"
Ecclesiastes 3:5 - "A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;"