The lives of God’s people are to be characterized by the offering of thanksgiving to God always, for everything, and in all circumstances (Eph 5:19-20; Phil 4:6; 1 Thess 5:18). They are to give thanks for blessings, spiritual and physical (Col 1:12; 1 Tim 4:3-4), in their own lives and in the lives of others (Acts 28:15; 2 Thess 1:3; 2:13). Thanksgiving is part of praise, prayer and worship (Ps 95:1-7; 116:17; Col 4:2; Rev 7:12; 11:17). (See also PRAISE; PRAYER; WORSHIP.) Believers should remind themselves constantly to thank God for all his blessings. They can do this by making sure that thanksgiving accompanies all their requests to God (Ps 30:12; 92:1-4; 103:1-5; Phil 4:6; Col 4:2; 1 Tim 2:1). They should be particularly thankful that God, in his love, has chosen them (2 Thess 2:13-14), made them sharers in his grace (1 Cor 1:4), equipped them with faith, hope and love (Col 1:3- 5), and given them a part in the service of the gospel (2 Cor 1:11; Phil 1:4-5). By constantly offering thanks to God, Christians help counter the influence of sin (Eph 5:4). By failing to offer thanks to God, they fail to give him the glory due to him (Luke 17:16-18).