Before Amen by Max Lucado
Week 10: Chapter 9 — Thank You
Read Chapter 9 of Before Amen by Max Lucado. Key passages: Psalm 100:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Luke 17:11-19.
Previewing Week 10 of Before Amen
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 14-week guide when you’re ready.
Gratitude is not just a polite addition to prayer — Lucado argues it is a transformative discipline that reshapes how we see our entire lives.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.The pocket prayer includes "thank you" as a distinct, intentional phrase — not an afterthought. How often does gratitude make it into your actual prayers, versus being crowded out by requests and concerns?
2.In Luke 17, Jesus heals ten lepers but only one returns to give thanks. Lucado uses this story to note how quickly we move on after receiving what we asked for. Have there been answered prayers in your life that you never really stopped to thank God for?
3."In everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18) is one of Scripture's harder commands. Lucado distinguishes between thanking God *for* everything (including evil) and thanking God *in* everything (in every circumstance). Why is that distinction important?