Gratitude in a Hostile Land

I sighed as I drove down the highway. The kids sat in the back, happily munching cheese puffs and listening to a podcast—blissfully unaware of the new warning light glowing on the dashboard. My pulse quickened. I tried calling my husband—no answer. The flat tire sign flashed again. Ugh. I use our minivan every day, and the thought of waiting at a mechanic made me spiral in worry.

Memories of being stuck on the side of the road flooded my mind. What if I was late again? What if this simple problem plummeted into a day of stress? The margin in my life felt paper-thin, and I was already concerned about upcoming ministry events and the weight of raising young children in a hostile world. A trip to the mechanic or being stranded was not the plan. 

But as I drove on, I was reminded to slow down. Even in this inconvenience, I had a choice. Interruptions like these reveal the state of our hearts. When unexpected circumstances come crashing in, are prayer and gratitude the conductor of our lives—or are they the caboose? 

Yet prayer and gratitude aren’t only for happy times; they are for every time, every moment, and every day. 

Habits that Retrain the Heart

A few days later, I rushed into my Bible study group and opened the book of Daniel. Taken from his homeland and expected to serve a foreign king, Daniel’s faithfulness struck me. Although the Babylonian exile happened thousands of years ago, his posture remains deeply relevant today. We were studying the exile and return, and the Holy Spirit reminded me of the power of prayer and thanksgiving. I was shocked. Daniel, an exile in Babylon, gave thanks instead of complaining? The broken van threatened to steal my joy, and I struggled to compose myself. 

But unlike me, Daniel had trained his heart to return again and again to God’s promises and His character. Even from a young age, Daniel proved himself faithful under multiple kings by cultivating a life marked by prayer and gratitude. 

When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10)

What a stressful moment! A royal decree made it illegal to pray to anyone but the king. However, Daniel didn’t stop praying. He purposely did so with windows open, even though disobedience put his life at risk. Daily prayer reorients our hearts, and Daniel continued his habit and reliance on God. Do we have solid habits to anchor us when sudden changes threaten to blow us down? 

With all the distractions of the world, it’s hard to stay focused. Even when I want to pray, I lack energy and I don’t know what to say. Although I have two young children, I’ve made it a habit to pray every time I get gas. It’s one of the few quiet moments I have while the kids sit in the car. As the gas flows into the tank, I have an opportunity to commune with the God of the universe and share my burdens, whether it’s a flat tire or tired toddler. 

Maybe your “gas-station moment” looks different. Maybe you have a particular mug or landmark that reminds you to pray. Whatever the case, know God is ready and eager to meet you. He promises that when we draw near, He draws near to us (James 4:8). These habits retrain our hearts to look up at a kingdom that will never end. 

Daniel humbly got down on his knees not one, not two, but three times a day. Do we have that posture of humility—the attitude of regularly acknowledging our need for a Savior?

The Beauty of Community

This wasn’t the first time Daniel chose prayer. Earlier in life, when threatened with death by King Nebuchadnezzar, he asked his friends to pray for him. Similarly, do we have godly women ready to huddle around us and plead on our behalf?

Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter, urging them to ask the God of the heavens for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men. (Daniel 2:17–18) 

Daniel didn’t fight the battle on his own. His example shows the beauty of community over isolation. We, too, can ask friends to bring requests before the throne, where God promises to provide mercy and where we find grace in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). As Daniel’s story reminds us, prayer and community are inseparable—but so is gratitude. These practices often work hand in hand.

Anchored in Thanksgiving

When we’re alone with no one to lean on, we can start by giving thanks—whether we’re in a new place, facing challenges, or simply worried. Gratitude is not passive; it’s active trust.

Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

What can we do when we still feel anxious and distressed? We can recall items of gratitude. When I pause to notice God’s gifts, gratitude bubbles up: the sweetness of children playing, warm sunshine on our toes, a loving family, a home to cultivate, access to God’s Word, peace in hard times, and faithful friends who pray. These simple graces anchor me when my heart drifts toward worry.

Daniel didn’t wait for the edict to dissipate before he offered gratitude. Every day he went to the Father. It wasn’t just hopeful optimism; it was his firm foundation. 

Praying with Open Hearts

After the stress of the dashboard light incident, I took a walk and prayed through the week. Rather than letting my mind dwell on worst-case scenarios, I offered my worries to God in prayer and thanked Him for the opportunities He provided. 

God wants our thanksgiving even in the unknown, the uncomfortable middle ground. Whether we’re navigating unexpected problems or cultural challenges, God is faithful. One day, we won’t be exiles anymore. Until then, we can pray with open windows and, more importantly, open hearts. 

When faced with danger, it’s not our job to worry about political turmoil. It is our job to give thanks in all circumstances. We may not have physical enemies peeking through our window, but there is a spiritual battle raging all around us. The good news is that Jesus has already won, and one day we can praise Him with no barriers.

Practical Steps

This week, as we focus on Thanksgiving, let’s develop a habit of prayer and gratitude as we navigate each trial of life. 

Take time to. . .

• Give your requests to God, praying through your calendar or upcoming events instead of fretting. 
• Create a group text where women can share and pray for requests. 
• Start a prayer journal and record answers to prayer.

Daniel’s life points to the one true Savior who intercedes on our behalf. How can we choose gratitude this week and bring our burdens to Him in prayer? 

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!¹

¹ Joseph Medlicott Scriven, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus,” 1855.