Have you ever seen God do something amazing for you and then just moved on without stopping to say thank you? I know I have. Sometimes God’s gifts are so clear and powerful that we can't miss them, like a good report from a doctor or finding a new job after many months of unemployment. We feel and see God’s work, and our hearts are filled with relief and joy. God’s deliverance and grace are not limited to big moments. They’re also found in the little, ordinary things, such as the beauty of the changing seasons or a safe space to rest after a long day.

Praising God in the Moment

It can be easy to ignore the “wins” when they feel too small to celebrate, so we dismiss them and move on. I forget that every good thing—big or small—is a reminder of God’s grace. At the center of this grace is God’s greatest act of deliverance through his Son, Jesus: the gift of the complete forgiveness of our sins. We are rescued from sin and death, and because of this we always have a reason to praise!

Why Gratitude Matters

That’s why thanking and praising God for his grace in the moment matters. It supports a habit of gratitude and keeps our hearts humble, recentering our attention on his faithfulness. When we immediately thank God for both the big and small moments of deliverance, we shift our perspective and see his grace and gifts in every part of our lives

The Song of Moses and Miriam

If you are just starting this habit of praise, you might not know exactly what to say. Scripture can be a gift this way. One of the most powerful ways to pray, especially when we are stuck, is to borrow words right from the Bible. Exodus 15 includes the first recorded worship song in the Bible and is sung by Moses and Miriam. It is a joyful celebration that takes place right after God’s people have been dramatically rescued from generations of slavery in Egypt.  

This same song of victory appears again at the end of the Bible in Revelation 15:3: “They sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb…” The Lamb here is Jesus Christ, who delivered us from sin and death. This song extends across time, bridging God’s rescue at the Red Sea with our salvation through Jesus. When we stop to praise God for his gifts and goodness, we are stepping into that same song sung by believers past, present, and even future! It is a song of freedom, gratitude, and worship. 

With that in mind, I have crafted my own prayer based on Exodus 15:1-21. Feel free to use my words as a template to create your own.

Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving from Exodus 15

Exodus 15:1-2 "The LORD is my strength and my defense…”

Lord, I will sing! You are my strength when I am weak.
You defend me when I have no defense. You have saved me. 
Thank you for helping me through (name something specific).
You stay with me, and I praise you because you are strong and faithful!

Exodus 15:3-6 “The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea… Your right hand, LORD, was majestic in power; your right hand, LORD, shattered the enemy.”

You are strong and mighty and a warrior who fights for me. 
You see what I am facing, and you don't leave me alone.  
(Name a specific struggle or moment.) 
Thank you for the battles you have already won in my life. 

I trust in your power today. You are greater than any enemy I face.
(Enemies could be fear, discouragement, temptation, or anything else that is distracting; list them here.) 

I rest in your strength and not in my own.
You are my defender, you are my peace. I will not be afraid. 

Exodus 15:7-11 “In the greatness of your majesty, you threw down those who opposed you… Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”

You are powerful beyond my understanding. When I feel fear, you are in control. 
You see my enemies, and you fight for me.  
You hear every threat, every injustice (list some of those here).

 Thank you for the ways you have already rescued me (name a time here or thank God 
for how he has saved you from your sin and shame). 

There is no one like you. You are holy, awesome in glory, full of wonder… (make a list of God’s qualities).

I am never alone and never without hope because you go before me. 
You are working wonders, even now (what wonders do you notice? List them here). 

Exodus 15:13,17 “In your unfailing love, you will lead the people you have redeemed… You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance…”

Lord, you are faithful and strong; nothing can stand against you. 
You have redeemed me, called me your own, and you are leading me (list where you have seen God leading you). 
Even when the way is uncertain, I trust in you. You will lead me toward something good  (name an area where you are waiting for God’s direction or peace). 

I praise you for your perfect love, for walking with me every step of the way. 
Today, I rest in the truth that I am loved, led, and held by you. 

Joining in the Eternal Song

May this example from Exodus 15 encourage you to practice gratitude each day. As we pray for others, remember that you are joining the same eternal song of worship that began with Moses and Miriam. As you pray, may you enter into the same spirit of gratitude, awe, and worship that the Israelites felt when they crossed from slavery into freedom. May you pray with confidence and thankfulness, knowing that the God who parted the sea and raised Jesus from the dead is the same God who calls you his child, hears you, and answers your prayers today.