References: 

• Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, Thanksgivings
  • εὐχαριστία (yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah) thankfulness, the giving of thanks (Remeber Phil 4:6 & Col 4:2)
• An attitude of gratitude - the blessing and benefits of thankfulness.
  • Thankfulness is something even unbelievers value and practice.
  • Most common prayer entry point
    • Can you think of a time someone didn’t open a prayer with “Thank you God for…” or some version of that?
  • Consider your practice of thankfulness in prayer.
    • We thank God for circumstances
    • We thank God for His goodness
    • We thank God for people 
• Thanksgivings for ALL PEOPLE?
  • How hard would it be to make a list of people for whom you are not thankful?
  • How would you offer prayers of thanksgiving for them?
  • Prolepsis: what is it
    • Genesis 20:3 - “you’re dead!” מוּת  (mooth)  
    • Isaiah 65:8 - “new wine” in the grape cluster
    • Luke 1:68-70 - “he has visited” and “has raised up” - note verb mood - indicative (a done deal before Jesus is even born)
    • 2 Timothy 1:10 - “abolished death” - καταργέω (katargeō)
      • to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency
      • to deprive of force, influence, power
      • to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with
• Proleptic Gratitude
  • Present subjunctive - “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:2)
    • Verb mood - Is the mood of possibility and potentiality. The action described may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances. (see Gen 20:3)
  • Can you give thanks then for what God has already done in the future?
    • Imagine how praying this way would change YOU
    • Put prayers of proleptic gratitude in the context of the previous 3 forms of prayer.
      • Look around at the needs, and ask God to act
      • Look up and listen to what God has to say to you about your requests
      • Look in and see how God needs to conform your heart to His own
  • Look ahead at what God is able to do. Let God open your eyes to what He is capable of doing. Then give thanks for that.