As I finish out the year, my psalm for the day is Psalm 50. It is a glorious portrayal of the majesty and other-worldliness of God. “The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth,” it begins. This speaking and summoning is a reckoning. Judgment is coming - “for God himself is judge” (v. 6).
But the criteria of this judgment is not what we would expect. God rejects the temple sacrifices Israel has been offering. I own the world, the Lord assures them. I certainly don’t need anything from you. Instead, what God asks for is gratitude: “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving” (v. 14).
That’s the criterion. Thanksgiving. Are you thankful? If so, the psalm implies, you need not fear the coming judgment. The lesson is so important that Psalm 50 ends here: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me” (v. 23).
Gratitude offered to God is how we glorify Him. It is, quite simply, worship.
So Indelible Grace, as we close out 2025, we want to pause and offer thanksgiving to our faithful God—the Mighty One who speaks and summons us as His church.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Lord, thank you for your sustained and sanctifying presence with us, your people.
One of the great joys of my calling is hearing how you are at work in the lives of your saints. I can attest that you are growing people in our midst. Your Word is pressing into hearts, confronting unbelief. Your Spirit brings both conviction and comfort.
I am deeply thankful that you do not leave us alone—that you do not leave me alone. Salvation is not a one-time deposit but a living relationship with a living Savior. You have been with us, even as we have walked through difficulty: a hard past, cancer and death, transitions and a move. In those moments, our union with Christ has become a tangible lifeline. You are always real—but in suffering, we become more aware of how real our need for you is. That is one reason we continue to gather for praise and prayer nights. We want more of your presence with us.
Lord, thank you for the brothers and sisters you brought to us this year.
It was a joy to welcome new members who immediately stepped into service and ministry. We are especially thankful for the Berkeley students who have made IGC their church home. Their earnest, vibrant faith has been a gift to our congregation.
Lord, thank you for a stable and beautiful place to worship.
At the end of 2023, we prayed Ephesians 3:20 that you might do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. Little did we know you were already answering our prayers. This spring we moved onto the Grace Lutheran campus—a gift that has allowed ministry to flourish in ways we’re only beginning to explore. You have truly blessed us.
Lord, thank you for the many volunteers who serve with joy.
A new building and a growing children’s ministry opened new opportunities, and your people responded. Hospitality teams. Coffee makers. Communion bread bakers. Facilities stewards. Children’s worship teachers. Slide engineers. It is beautiful to watch the body of Christ come alive as each part serves according to the gifts you’ve given.
Lord, thank you for your rich provision.
You are a generous God who has done far more than we could ask or imagine. When we needed teachers, you provided. When we needed bakers, you provided. When we needed resources to move and dreams to grow, you provided—right down to giving us the hope and possibility of expanding our staff to include a children’s ministry director.
I hope as you read this that your heart is warmed, as mine has been while writing it. May it lead you to praise, worship, and thanksgiving. Join me in giving thanks to our great God.
And let me invite you to do the same in your own household.
It’s tempting at the end of the year to simply move on. Time and energy are scarce—especially during the holidays. Children are home. Relatives are visiting. Calendars are full. The pressure to get ahead for next year is real. The deck is stacked against reflection.
But this is faith—basic Christianity—to give thanks.
So make space for it. Do it alone. Do it with your spouse. Do it with your kids. Make a list together. Have them draw pictures of what they’re thankful for. And pray: Lord, thank you for this past year. I saw you at work in _______. Thank you for ______.
Even in those hard things, the things you just can’t say thank you yet, ask God to again do more than you can ask or imagine. Right after Psalm 50 calls us to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, God invites us to call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me. (50:15)
In other words, the prayer for deliverance will someday be a future prayer of thanksgiving. Let’s end 2025 with a spirit of thanksgiving.
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.”
May that be true of us, to the glory of God.