One of the most powerful ways to strengthen our walk with God—and to encourage others in their faith—is through the practice of thankfulness. How can we be nurturing a thankful heart in ourselves as well as others?
Ministry work often places us in the midst of people’s struggles, concerns, and needs. It can be easy to carry the weight of those burdens, along with the responsibilities of serving week after week. Yet, as Paul reminds us, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Gratitude not only changes our perspective but also provides encouragement when ministry feels heavy. When we give thanks, our focus shifts from what is overwhelming to what God has already done and continues to do.
That’s why we created the “Nurturing a Thankful Heart” worksheet—a simple, practical resource designed to help you, your team, or your congregation intentionally practice thanksgiving.
This worksheet can be used in staff devotionals, small groups, Bible studies, or even personal quiet time. Below, we’ll walk through the four sections of the worksheet and how they can encourage both leaders and those they serve.
Four Steps to Nurturing a Thankful Heart
It can be easy to tell someone to be thankful. But sometimes the burdens of life weigh so heavy that they need some help getting started. These 4 steps to nurturing a thankful heart can guide people through finding things to be thankful for.
1. Always Thankful For
This section invites you to reflect on the blessings that are so constant, you might be tempted to take them for granted. For ministry leaders, these may include the gift of salvation, God’s Word, the fellowship of the church, or the privilege of serving in ministry.
When staff members or volunteers pause to acknowledge these ongoing blessings, it strengthens the heart and fosters resilience.
Consider encouraging your team to fill in this section during a staff meeting or devotional time. Sharing together what you’re “always thankful for” not only builds gratitude but also unites the group in worship and perspective.
2. Prayers God Has Answered
In the busyness of ministry, it’s easy to move on to the next challenge without pausing to notice how God has already answered prayers. This section helps leaders and volunteers remember God’s faithfulness—whether in big or small ways.
You might recall how God provided volunteers for a big outreach, how He brought healing or encouragement to a church member, or how He supplied financial provision when it was most needed.
Writing these answers down can provide encouragement for future prayers and reminds everyone that God is active and present in your work.
For staff or ministry teams, this can become a powerful moment of testimony. Imagine setting aside time once a month to share “answered prayers” together. What an encouragement that would be, both personally and collectively!
3. Surprise Blessings
Sometimes God provides in ways we never expected—through a word of encouragement from a fellow believer, a new opportunity, or even something as simple as an uplifting conversation.
This section of the worksheet reminds us that not all blessings are the result of specific prayers; often, God blesses us even before we ask.
Encourage your team or small group to think through the “surprise blessings” they’ve experienced in the past week or month. Recognizing that God sees and blesses them in unexpected ways can renew joy and energy for service.
4. Areas to Trust God
Finally, this section shifts our hearts toward future gratitude. Here, we list the areas where we are concerned or waiting on God, and we choose to thank Him in advance for His provision.
For those in ministry, this could mean entrusting upcoming events, difficult conversations, or personal challenges to the Lord. By writing these down and choosing thankfulness ahead of time, we declare our trust in God’s character, not just in our circumstances.
This can be a transformative exercise for a ministry team. As each person writes down areas of concern, they’re invited to collectively release those burdens to God and replace anxiety with thanksgiving. Over time, looking back at these notes will provide testimony after testimony of God’s faithfulness.
How to Use the “Nurturing a Thankful Heart” Worksheet in Ministry
- Staff or Volunteer Meetings – Begin or end a meeting by filling in one section together.
- Small Groups or Bible Studies – Use the worksheet as a guided exercise to help members reflect on gratitude.
- Personal Devotionals – Encourage leaders and volunteers to use it in their quiet time to renew perspective.
- Special Seasons – Around Thanksgiving or at the start of a new year, this worksheet can be a timely resource to reset hearts toward gratitude.
Encouragement for Ministry Leaders
Thankfulness is more than a personal discipline; it is a ministry tool. When you cultivate gratitude in your own heart, it overflows into your service. Volunteers sense it. Congregations notice it. And God is glorified through it.
Whether you’re facing a season of encouragement or challenge, practicing thankfulness can provide renewed strength for your calling. As you and your team use the Nurturing a Thankful Heart worksheet, may it help you remember God’s provision, celebrate His answers, rejoice in His surprises, and trust Him fully for what is to come.
You can download the worksheet for free and share it with your team or church members as a way to foster a spirit of gratitude in every area of ministry.
✅ Download the Free Worksheet: Nurturing a Thankful Heart
✨ Final Thought
Gratitude doesn’t erase the challenges of ministry, but it does shift our perspective from burdens to blessings.
As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7, “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
When you and your team surrender your concerns to the Lord, and nurture thankful hearts, you can experience His peace as you wait to see how He will answer your prayers.
If you liked Nurturing a Thankful Heart, you may also like our Thanksgiving prayers, psalms, and poems for church. Looking for more free church resource downloads? Visit the Bible Study Printables page.
