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The Story behind My Global Prayer of Gratitude

Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

20 Nov 2020 | 2 min read

President Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, January 14, 2018, in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple.

In his 96 years, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen many trials. But he says there's a simple remedy to help us find joy in hard times—gratitude.

An Unexpected Awakening

Have you ever had the experience of waking up in the middle of the night with a distinct thought or impression? Since beginning my ministry as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve had my share of unexpected awakenings. Many of these have proven to be special and sacred moments from God. I want to share one such experience related to the special video message that was released today, November 20, 2020.

A few weeks ago, I woke in the middle of the night with the thought that I should offer a prayer of gratitude to God for all of His children around the globe. Thoughts flooded my mind of all of the things for which we should be grateful and how expressing that gratitude could become a healing spirit in our lives. As the inspiration came, specific details, including when and how I should share this message, came to my mind and heart. The video message shared today was not one that came by chance; it is one that came from heaven.

One of the Greatest Gifts of God

Since my service as President of the Church in 2018, one of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The marvelous privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children—available to every one of us.

No matter who you are, you can pray to your Heavenly Father for guidance and direction in your life. If you learn to hear the Lord through His promptings, you may receive divine guidance in matters large and small.

I am grateful for the awakenings I have received in my life that have helped me to know that the heavens really are open today. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest example of both heeding the will of His Father and giving thanks in all things.

In Every Thing Give Thanks

As I said in my video message, I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a unique, fast-acting, and long-lasting spiritual prescription. Simply stated, “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Please consider accepting my invitation to flood social media for the next seven days with your own personal gratitude journal using #GiveThanks. And please join with me and others in thanking God through daily prayer. Prayers can bring forth miracles. May we all turn to God and more fully trust in Him.

Download PDF video transcript

The healing power of gratitude is a message for everyone. We encourage you to share this video and the invitation with family and friends to flood social media over the next seven days with a wave of gratitude.

Jesus Christ: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

Share what you’re grateful for using the hashtag #GiveThanks

Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

20 Nov 2020 | 2 min read

Marek S.

22 Nov 2023

Thanks for your comment, McKay! I'm inspired to write a comment now because of you! I have loved my past few days studying gratitude. I started studying it this week because of a class I'm taking that encouraged us to do so, and now I'm finding that I feel more and more peace every time I thank the Lord for His blessings! I'm amazed at the blessing it is to be able to express thanks to our Heavenly Father, and the sense of peace and unmistakable joy that it brings. I hope more people go back and watch this video from President Nelson! Planning on sharing it online and getting friends to watch it! God is real! Christ lives! He is there for us when we turn to Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

McKay B.

19 Nov 2023

I loved this message when it was first released, and I love it now. My husband and I were new parents then, trying to finish our last year of college, get by on one part-time income, and parent our 1-year-old son. Since then, President Nelson’s inspired counsel on gratitude has popped up again and again as we’ve navigated the ups and downs of life. I’ve come back to this message today to share it with my son (now 4 years old) and his two little sisters for our family home evening lesson, this Thanksgiving. Gratitude has been one of the most useful tools in my spiritual toolbox; when I lose my temper, when I’m feeling sad, when my pride gets the better of me, and when discouragement threatens, nothing helps redirect my attention to the things that really matter (Jesus Christ and His Atonement, my family, my testimony, etc.) faster than taking a moment to consider the ways I have been blessed.

Angie D.

6 Aug 2023

I have been reading more about giving thanks in the New Testament and I came across your post! It's interesting to see what outside influences try to teach us and the teachings of prophet Russell M. Nelson and how it impacted social media. Covid was an incredibly hard and scary time and I was actually preparing to go mission. I also remember feeling sometimes angry and disheartened. Then President Nelson shared this message of hope! It was an amazing experience to see not only me but my entire family (because of quarantine ahaha) have a change in both mindset and attitude. I was able to recognize that as a missionary during COVID would be my trial to overcome. As I was reading my scriptures this past week, I was taught the importance of gratitude and how it helps take the focus off ourselves and pushes to think outside of ourselves. It's very easy to get caught up in what we want and/or need and even what we think we need. It helps us to take a step back and analyze what is good and that also can produce a good feeling in our hearts. I have learned that showing gratitude is a very effective skill that we can use in order to grow in humility.

Tess H.

4 May 2023

I am so grateful for this powerful and timely message from our Prophet. I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for my Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness. I am thankful for my husband and children and my family that raised me. I am thankful for the beauty of this earth that nourishes my spirit. I am thankful for the blessing and privilege of repentance.

Fayziuri B.

9 Dec 2021

I’m great full for becoming a member of His (Jesus Christ) church. I’m truly thankful for having living prophets and for continuing revelation. It’s truly a blessing to have His constant help and guidance with us today. I’m thankful I came across with this article again today, I needed to read it again and listen to every ward was said. I’m thankful for how much our prophet Nelson shares with us on how he receives revelation from God and how he then acts upon those promptings. It means a lot to me and I’m sure to others as well. Thank you for serving the Lord and helping us through this difficult times!

Toni M.

10 Sep 2021

I am so thankful I have returned to the church and open my heart to our heavenly father. My heart is filled with love and joy and I am amazed at the comfort I feel since I have returned. I am truly blessed even in my trials. I am thankful for our living prophet my family here on earth and in heaven. It’s a wonderful feeling, to feel the Lords arms around me and that he’s always available to listen and help. I am blessed!

Meredith O.

25 Feb 2021

Since studying the prayers offered by prophets in the scriptures, I wished and longed to hear a modern prophet or apostle pray. You are all great speakers! When you teach, I feel the power of God in your words; which made my desire to hear you pray and feel the power of God in your connection with him a constant wish or a unsaid prayer. An idea never spoken, but always present. I believe that if I could hear you pray, maybe I could study it and improve my own prayers. What a merciful God we love! Never did I ever imagine that I would get that opportunity to hear a prophet and to have you up close and personal, as if you were next to me in the room! What love! I felt of more love than I had space for. Thank you for showing us how you magnify your calling so that we can see how we can magnify our own. Bless you for loving the world and teaching us all to love and be grateful. I love you President Nelson, and all those who work and serve with you!

The Story behind My Global Prayer of Gratitude

An Unexpected Awakening

One of the Greatest Gifts of God

In Every Thing Give Thanks

Download PDF video transcript

Share the Power of Gratitude

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Comments

Marek S.

McKay B.

Angie D.

Tess H.

John W.

Fayziuri B.

Benjamin A.

Toni M.

Nancy Q.

Meredith O.

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