This prayer of Gratitude to Jesus honors the price of our salvation by meditating on his passion, death, and resurrection. Gratitude changes us because it is a virtue that encompasses both thanksgiving and grace. Through gratitude, we increase our capacity to love.
The prayer of gratitude also heals us of our sadness and gives us hope even in the face of suffering. Gratitude is powerful in times of trial, pain, illness, and loss, as we see when we meditate on the life of Job. When our love for Christ grows the grace we receive increases. Psalm 34 is another prayer of gratitude that begins with: “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth.”
Gratitude to Jesus for His Passion and Death
Let us begin by contemplating the upper room after the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ. We can imagine the disciples locked away in hiding, fearing for what will happen to them, and not yet filled with the Holy Spirit.
This is when Jesus came. But Thomas was not there. He missed the opportunity.
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Jesus kept the wounds. Ponder this for a moment. He kept the holes in his hands and feet. He kept the wound in his Sacred Side.
By his stripes we are healed.
They are a physical reminder of the price he paid for our salvation. For eternity he will have those wounds.
Now let’s enter into the prayer of gratitude to Jesus.
a Prayer of Gratitude to Jesus
Thank You Jesus
To my Lord and Savior, Many times I could have died in my sin, eternally separated from grace. Countless times I have chosen self-love and my own will over You. I recognize in this moment your great love and mercy toward me and I wish to pay You homage in gratitude for this great gift.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have pursued me with great love and mercy even when I knew you not.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have convicted my heart of its grave sin and given me the grace of conversion.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the ability to love and for the suffering you have given me in order to teach me the value of holy love.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed on me and those I pray for.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the wound in your left foot, which You suffered to save me from the pains of hell.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the wound in your right foot, which You suffered to atone for the sins of passion that I have committed.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the wound in your left hand, which You suffered in order to give me the grace of conversion to bear good fruit.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the wound in your right hand, which you suffered in order to give me the grace to obey the will of God.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the wound in your Sacred Side, which poured forth both Blood and Water in order to redeem my soul and grant me eternal life.
Thank You Jesus. I praise and glorify the Holy Spirit, my Paraclete. Blessed be God the Father who is good and deserving of praise.
All glory and honor and praise be given to You Lord Jesus Christ now and forever more.
AMEN.
After this prayer of gratitude to Jesus, if you would like to meditate on the wounds of Christ you can pray the 5 Holy Wounds or meditate on the Stations of the Cross.
Quotes from Saints on Gratitude to Jesus
“Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day. Because he gives you this and that. Because you have been despised. Because you haven’t what you need or because you have. Thank him for everything, because everything is good.” St. Josemaria Escriva
“Jesus does not demand great action from us but simply surrender and gratitude.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux
“In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.” St. Teresa of Avila
“Thank God ahead of time.” Bl. Solanus Casey
But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. St. Paul
2 Responses
Thank you for prayers
Margo
I discovered your site in search of a prayer to thank Almighty God for sending Lord Jesus, our beloved Christ, to the world.