Thanks Be To God

“What better words may we carry in our heart, pronounce with our mouth, write with a pen than the words ‘Thanks be to God’?” — Saint Augustine

One of the most fundamental forms of prayer we have as creatures toward our Creator is thanksgiving. It’s such a simple action, yet it carries tremendous weight.

We know this from our own lives. I see it especially with my kids. When a child genuinely thanks you, you’re almost caught off guard. “Wow, they’re actually grateful.”

But here’s what gets me: plenty of adults say “thank you” without meaning it. It’s muscle memory. We say the words, but our hearts aren’t in it.

Both realities teach us something about gratitude toward God. Yes, we should thank the Lord for the gift of life, for his grace, for every blessing he’s given us. But we also need to mean it.

That comes with intentionality. It means slowing down instead of hurrying through our prayers. It means actually considering what we’re thanking him for instead of rattling off words we’ve said a thousand times.

Saint Augustine asks what better words we could carry, pronounce, or write than “Thanks be to God.”

What better words, indeed.