Psalm 40: Thanking God in Advance

Have we ever tried thanking God first for the answers to our problems rather than presenting our problems to Him first and then thank Him later? If truth be told, we are prone to presenting our problems before God first before we offer our gratitude – and only after we’ve received our answers. Why not pray a prayer of thanksgiving first before petitioning God. Thanksgiving before petition is a faith-filled prayer. It refocuses our prayer to God and allows us to see how powerful and faithful He is rather than being fixated on the complexities of our problems which tend to overwhelm us.

The first 10 verses of Psalm 40 are prayers of thanksgiving for David’s deliverance. The next seven verses are David’s prayer for deliverance. Note: Thanksgiving for deliverance first, then prayer for deliverance second. When we spend time thanking God first before anything, we are affirming God’s responsiveness, generosity, goodness, and faithfulness. It builds faith into our prayers and engenders confidence and trust in His power.

Notice how David begins this prayer: “He turned to me...heard my cry...lifted me out of the slimy pit...he set my feet on a rock...he put a new song in my mouth... Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord...many are the wonders you have done...none can compare with you...were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare... I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help” (Psalm 40:1-10).

David started off this prayer on a positive note, hailing God’s manifold blessings in his life, and affirming His eternal goodness. He began by remembering how God had been good to him and how he had been saved and delivered from dangers and tough circumstances. David recalled how many times God had come to his rescue and displayed His countless provisions to him. By doing this, he was building his faith and trust in God that he would no doubt come to his defense again as he had done before.

Then, from verse 11 down to the rest of this Psalm, he switches gear and begins to petition God. With a sense of urgency, he prays, “Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me (Psalm 40:13). Then he closes his prayer with humility, assurance, and confidence in God, “But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay (Psalm 40:17).

Thankful prayers are faith-filled prayers. They see the answers even before they come. Why don’t we begin our prayers with words of affirmation extolling the faithfulness and generosity of our God? Thank Him for your healing even before you are healed. Thank Him for your provision even before they come. Thank Him for your breakthrough even while you’re still seeing through the fog. He is faithful. He will strengthen and help us overcome!