180+ Heartfelt Birthday Prayer Wishes for a Friend

Birthday prayer wishes for a friend can turn an ordinary greeting into a meaningful expression of love, faith, gratitude, and hope. Instead of simply saying “Happy birthday,” a prayer allows you to thank God for your friend’s life and ask for peace, protection, health, wisdom, and happiness in the year ahead.

The right message depends on your friendship. Your best friend may appreciate something emotional and personal, while a work friend may prefer a short and respectful blessing. A friend facing illness, grief, examinations, career changes, or distance may need words that offer comfort and encouragement.

📌 Find the Right Birthday Prayer

Best birthday prayer wishes for a friend

Heartfelt birthday prayers

Short prayer wishes

Prayers for a best friend

Birthday prayers for a female friend

Birthday prayers for a male friend

Blessings for a Long-Distance Friend

Wishes for Safety and Inner Peace

Healing Messages for Health and Strength

Blessings for Success and Personal Growth

Gratitude prayers for friendship

Christian birthday wishes

Bible-inspired birthday blessings

Funny religious birthday wishes

Milestone birthday prayers

Social media captions

Long birthday prayers

Prayers for special seasons of life

💛 Best Birthday Prayer Wishes for a Friend

These thoughtful messages work for almost any close friend and can be shared in a birthday card, WhatsApp message, text, email, or social media post.

• Happy birthday, dear friend. I pray that God fills your new year with peaceful moments, faithful people, good health, and opportunities that bring out the best in you.
• Today, I thank God for your life and the happiness your friendship has brought into mine. May your birthday begin a beautiful year of progress and answered prayers.
• As you celebrate another year, I pray that your heart remains hopeful, your path becomes clearer, and every season teaches you something valuable.
• Happy birthday to a wonderful friend. May God protect your peace, strengthen your faith, and lead you toward everything prepared for your good.
• I pray that this new chapter carries less worry, more laughter, deeper purpose, and countless reminders that you are loved.
• On your birthday, I ask God to bless the work of your hands, guide your decisions, and place sincere people around you.
• May the year ahead bring healing to old wounds, courage for new beginnings, and joy that does not depend on perfect circumstances.
• Happy birthday. I pray that every closed door redirects you toward something better and every delay prepares you for the right opportunity.
• God blessed my life when He gave me your friendship. May He reward your kindness with peace, favour, and beautiful surprises.
• As you enter a new year of life, may you grow in wisdom without losing your softness, confidence without losing humility, and success without losing peace.

❤️ Heartfelt Birthday Prayers for a Friend

These emotional birthday prayers are ideal for a friend who has supported you through important moments.

• Happy birthday to the friend who has seen me at my best and worst and stayed with the same caring heart. I pray that life returns your loyalty in beautiful ways.
• Today, I thank God not only for giving you another year but also for allowing me to share part of your journey.
• Your friendship has comforted me during difficult days and made joyful days even brighter. I pray that you receive the same love you freely give to others.
• On your birthday, I ask God to protect the gentle parts of your heart and strengthen you wherever life has made you tired.
• May every silent sacrifice you have made be honoured, every sincere effort bear fruit, and every hidden prayer receive the right answer.
• Happy birthday, my dear friend. I pray that you never question your value because your presence has made a lasting difference in my life.
• God knew I would need someone who listens without judging and encourages without competing. I will always be grateful that He gave me you.
• I pray that this year introduces you to a calmer version of life—one filled with meaningful work, honest relationships, and restful nights.
• May your birthday remind you that you are not walking alone. You are loved, remembered in prayer, and surrounded by people who believe in you.
• Wherever the coming year takes you, I pray that you never lose the kindness, faith, and quiet strength that make you extraordinary.

✨ Short Birthday Prayer Wishes for a Friend

These short messages are suitable for texts, cards, comments, gift tags, WhatsApp statuses, and quick birthday greetings.

• Happy birthday. May God bless your days with peace and purpose.
• May grace guide you throughout your new year.
• I pray that joy finds you wherever you go.
• May God protect your heart and brighten your future.
• Wishing you health, hope, happiness, and heavenly favour.
• May this birthday open the door to your best chapter yet.
• Happy birthday. Stay faithful, peaceful, and wonderfully blessed.
• May every new day bring you closer to your prayers.
• I thank God for your life and your beautiful friendship.
• May your new age bring fresh strength and lasting joy.

🫶 Birthday Prayers for a Best Friend

A best friend often becomes chosen family. These prayers celebrate that deep and irreplaceable connection.

• Happy birthday to my best friend and favourite source of honest advice. I pray that God gives you a year as dependable and generous as you have been to me.
• Life would have been far less colourful without our memories, conversations, and ridiculous adventures. May God give us many more years of friendship.
• I pray that your deepest hopes become clearer, your efforts become fruitful, and your smile becomes even more genuine this year.
• Happy birthday, bestie. May God protect you from people who misunderstand your heart and lead you toward those who appreciate it.
• You have celebrated my victories and carried me through disappointments. Today, I pray that heaven celebrates you with peace and unexpected goodness.
• May God continue to make our friendship a place of honesty, laughter, encouragement, and unconditional support.
• Happy birthday to the person who knows nearly everything about me and somehow remains my friend. May your patience be richly rewarded.
• I pray that your new year includes bold dreams, safe journeys, loyal relationships, and stories we will laugh about for decades.
• Best friend, may you never settle for a life that drains your spirit. I pray that God guides you toward work, people, and places that make you feel alive.
• No matter where life takes us, I pray that our friendship remains strong and that you always remember how deeply you are valued.

🌸 Birthday Prayer Wishes for a Female Friend

These messages celebrate a female friend’s kindness, resilience, confidence, and personal journey.

• Happy birthday to a remarkable woman and a cherished friend. I pray that God protects your heart and strengthens your confidence in every new season.
• May this year teach you to recognise your worth without needing approval from people who cannot see it.
• I pray that your kindness is never mistaken for weakness and that your strength never forces you to carry everything alone.
• Happy birthday, beautiful soul. May God give you peaceful relationships, meaningful work, and the courage to honour your own needs.
• May your new year be filled with genuine compliments, supportive friendships, healthy boundaries, and reasons to feel proud of yourself.
• I pray that every room you enter recognises the intelligence, warmth, and grace you naturally carry.
• Happy birthday, my dear friend. May you become more comfortable taking up space, speaking your truth, and pursuing the life you deserve.
• May God protect you from comparison and help you appreciate the unique journey He has designed for you.
• I pray that your dreams grow larger, your worries grow smaller, and your faith remains stronger than every temporary setback.
• May you continue becoming a woman who is soft without being fragile, ambitious without being restless, and confident without losing compassion.

🧑 Birthday Prayer Wishes for a Male Friend

These prayers are suitable for a close male friend, childhood friend, colleague, classmate, or trusted companion.

• Happy birthday, my friend. I pray that God gives you wisdom for every decision and strength for every responsibility you carry.
• May this year bring you opportunities that match your abilities and people who respect both your ambition and character.
• I pray that you never feel pressured to hide your struggles. May God surround you with friends who listen, understand, and support you.
• Happy birthday to a dependable and genuine friend. May your hard work bring progress without costing you your peace.
• May God guide you into leadership while keeping your heart humble, patient, and fair.
• I pray that every challenge develops your courage without making you bitter or distant.
• Happy birthday. May you build a life that makes you proud—not only because of what you achieve, but because of the person you become.
• May this new year bring financial stability, meaningful relationships, good health, and clarity about your future.
• I pray that you remain brave enough to begin again whenever life redirects your plans.
• May God protect your journey, bless your efforts, and give you the discipline to turn your strongest dreams into reality.

🌍 Birthday Prayers for a Long-Distance Friend

Distance may change how birthdays are celebrated, but it does not reduce the value of a true friendship.

• Happy birthday from across the miles. I pray that God carries my love to you and fills your day with people who make you feel celebrated.
• Although I cannot be beside you today, you remain close in my thoughts and prayers. May your birthday be peaceful, joyful, and memorable.
• I pray that distance never weakens our friendship and that life gives us another chance to celebrate together soon.
• Happy birthday, dear friend. May God protect you wherever you are and make every unfamiliar place feel more like home.
• May the year ahead bring safe journeys, meaningful connections, and opportunities worth travelling for.
• I miss our conversations, shared meals, and spontaneous plans. I pray that your birthday brings enough happiness for both of us.
• May God shorten the emotional distance between us, even when geography keeps us far apart.
• Happy birthday. I pray that you feel remembered today, not only through messages but through the warmth of every friendship you have built.
• May your new year bring successful adventures and eventually lead you back to the people who love you most.
• Until we celebrate together again, I pray that God surrounds you with protection, friendship, comfort, and countless reasons to smile.

🛡️ Birthday Prayers for Peace and Protection

These prayers are ideal for a friend facing uncertainty, pressure, major decisions, or a demanding season.

• On your birthday, I pray that God guards your mind from unnecessary worry and your heart from anything that steals your peace.
• May you be protected from harmful intentions, rushed decisions, unsafe situations, and relationships that disguise control as care.
• I pray that God gives you discernment to recognise what is right, courage to reject what is harmful, and patience to wait for what is meant for you.
• Happy birthday. May peace enter the places where anxiety has lived for too long.
• May God go before you in every journey, remain beside you in every difficulty, and strengthen you whenever you feel uncertain.
• I pray that your home becomes a place of rest, your friendships become sources of comfort, and your thoughts become gentler toward yourself.
• May every plan formed against your well-being fail, and may every honest effort lead you toward safety and stability.
• Happy birthday. I pray that God protects you from dangers you can see and problems you cannot yet recognise.
• May you receive the wisdom to choose your battles and the peace to walk away from situations that do not deserve your energy.
• I pray that the coming year feels lighter, safer, calmer, and more secure than the one you are leaving behind.

🌿 Birthday Prayers for Health and Healing

Share these messages with a friend who needs physical strength, emotional healing, rest, or renewed hope.

• Happy birthday, dear friend. I pray that God restores your strength and gives your body the rest and care it needs.
• May this year bring encouraging news, effective treatment, patient support, and steady improvement in your health.
• I pray that the pain you rarely discuss becomes lighter and that you no longer feel required to suffer silently.
• Happy birthday. May God place skilled, compassionate people around you and guide every decision concerning your well-being.
• May healing reach your body, peace reach your thoughts, and hope return to the parts of your heart that have grown tired.
• I pray that you learn to rest without guilt and receive help without feeling like a burden.
• May each new morning bring renewed energy and each night provide the deep rest your body deserves.
• Happy birthday to one of the strongest people I know. I pray that the next chapter requires less survival and offers more living.
• May God comfort you during uncertain moments and remind you that slow progress is still meaningful progress.
• I pray that this birthday begins a season of restoration, healthier routines, emotional freedom, and genuine happiness.

🚀 Birthday Prayers for Success, Purpose and New Beginnings

These prayers are perfect for ambitious friends, students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone beginning a new chapter.

• Happy birthday. I pray that God gives you clarity about your purpose and courage to pursue it without constantly doubting yourself.
• May your ideas find the right opportunities, your preparation meet the right moment, and your efforts produce meaningful results.
• I pray that every rejection redirects you toward a place where your abilities will be recognised and valued.
• May God bless you with discipline when motivation fades and patience when progress takes longer than expected.
• Happy birthday. May your career grow without taking away your health, relationships, or peace of mind.
• I pray that your name reaches rooms filled with opportunities, even before you enter them.
• May this year bring successful applications, productive partnerships, wise investments, and work that feels worthwhile.
• I pray that you stop shrinking your dreams to make other people comfortable and start building the future you truly believe in.
• Happy birthday. May God give you mentors who guide honestly, colleagues who cooperate sincerely, and clients who value your work.
• As you begin another year, may you have the faith to start, the discipline to continue, and the wisdom to change direction when necessary.

🙏 Birthday Prayers of Gratitude for a Friend

These messages focus on thanking God for the gift of friendship.

• On your birthday, I thank God for every conversation, every laugh, and every difficult moment your friendship helped me overcome.
• I am grateful that life introduced us and even more grateful that time turned our connection into a true friendship.
• Happy birthday. I thank God for giving me a friend who listens carefully, speaks honestly, and cares consistently.
• Your presence has made ordinary moments more enjoyable and difficult seasons more manageable. I will never take that blessing for granted.
• Today, I thank God for the person you are when no one is watching—thoughtful, dependable, and quietly generous.
• Happy birthday to a friend whose kindness has often arrived exactly when I needed it.
• I am grateful for every memory behind us and hopeful for every adventure still waiting ahead.
• Thank you for celebrating my growth without competing with it. I pray that your own journey receives equal encouragement and support.
• On your special day, I thank God for your patience, humour, loyalty, and ability to make people feel understood.
• Your friendship is one of the good things life gave me without warning. Happy birthday, and thank you for being you.

✝️ Christian Birthday Wishes for a Friend

These faith-filled messages are especially suitable for Christian friends and church companions.

• Happy birthday, dear friend. May Christ remain at the centre of your decisions and give you peace that circumstances cannot remove.
• I pray that your relationship with God becomes deeper, more personal, and more sustaining throughout the coming year.
• May the Lord renew your strength, guide your calling, and use your gifts to bring hope to others.
• Happy birthday. May your life continue reflecting Christ through compassion, patience, forgiveness, and courage.
• I pray that God gives you faith when answers are delayed and gratitude when blessings arrive differently from what you expected.
• May the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts, protect your choices, and remind you of God’s presence in every season.
• Happy birthday to a faithful friend. May the Lord give you opportunities to serve without allowing you to become exhausted or overlooked.
• I pray that your church community encourages your growth and that your personal walk with God remains sincere and joyful.
• May God’s grace cover your mistakes, His wisdom shape your future, and His love remain the foundation of your identity.
• As you celebrate another year, may your testimony become stronger and your life continue pointing people toward hope.

📖 Bible-Inspired Birthday Blessings for a Friend

These messages are inspired by biblical themes and include references that can be added to cards or captions.

• Happy birthday. May God give you courage for every unfamiliar road and remind you that you never face it alone. — Inspired by Joshua 1:9
• I pray that your future is guided by hope rather than fear and that every season contributes to a greater purpose. — Inspired by Jeremiah 29:11
• May the Lord direct your path as you trust Him with your plans, questions, and decisions. — Inspired by Proverbs 3:5–6
• Happy birthday. May goodness and mercy remain close companions throughout your new year. — Inspired by Psalm 23:6
• I pray that God renews your strength whenever life leaves you tired or discouraged. — Inspired by Isaiah 40:31
• May your heart remain joyful in hope, patient in difficulty, and faithful in prayer. — Inspired by Romans 12:12
• Happy birthday. May God give you wisdom generously whenever you are uncertain about the way forward. — Inspired by James 1:5
• I pray that peace guards both your heart and mind during every demanding season. — Inspired by Philippians 4:6–7
• May God complete the good work He has begun in your character, calling, and future. — Inspired by Philippians 1:6
• Happy birthday. May your life continue producing kindness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. — Inspired by Galatians 5:22–23

😂 Funny Religious Birthday Wishes for a Friend

Faith-filled messages can also be light-hearted, especially when shared with a close friend who enjoys humour.

• Happy birthday. I prayed for God to give you wisdom, but apparently that process requires another year.
• May God bless you with patience, good health, and a cake large enough to distract everyone from counting the candles.
• Happy birthday to my wonderful friend. You are not old; you are simply becoming a more historically significant blessing.
• I pray that your memory stays strong enough to remember your blessings—and where you left your phone.
• God has given you another year because the world clearly needs more of your excellent advice and questionable decisions.
• Happy birthday. May your knees remain cooperative, your back remain flexible, and your cake contain absolutely no calories.
• I prayed for a rich and meaningful year for you. Please remember me when the “rich” part arrives.
• May God give you the energy of your younger years and the good sense not to use all of it at once.
• Happy birthday to someone who continues ageing with grace, confidence, and increasingly larger font settings.
• Another birthday means another year of blessings, wisdom, and pretending you did not need to check the date twice.

🎂 Milestone Birthday Prayers for a Friend

These wishes are suitable for important birthdays such as the 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, or any meaningful new decade.

• Happy milestone birthday. I pray that you honour the journey behind you without becoming afraid of the road ahead.
• May this new decade bring deeper confidence, healthier relationships, stronger faith, and greater freedom to be yourself.
• Today celebrates more than a number. It honours every challenge you survived, every lesson you learned, and every person you helped.
• I pray that the years ahead feel less rushed and more meaningful, with enough time for work, rest, friendship, and joy.
• Happy birthday. May God turn the wisdom gained from your past into guidance for your future.
• As you enter a new stage of life, may you release outdated expectations and choose goals that genuinely belong to you.
• I pray that this milestone brings gratitude without regret and excitement without fear.
• May your next decade contain experiences that make you feel alive, relationships that make you feel safe, and work that makes you feel useful.
• Happy birthday. May every candle represent a lesson, a memory, a victory, or a blessing worth celebrating.
• I pray that the best part of your story is not something you have already lived but something you are now prepared to begin.

📱 Birthday Prayer Captions for Social Media

These short captions work for Instagram posts, birthday reels, TikTok videos, Facebook tributes, and WhatsApp statuses.

• Celebrating another year of your life and another reason to thank God for your friendship. Happy birthday! 🎂🙏
• New age, fresh grace, stronger faith, and beautiful possibilities. ✨
• God knew the world needed your light. Happy birthday, dear friend. 💛
• Praying that your next chapter becomes your most peaceful and purposeful one. 🌿
• Another year protected, guided, loved, and wonderfully blessed. 🙌
• Happy birthday to the friend who makes ordinary days feel special. 🎉
• Today, I thank God for your life, your loyalty, and every memory we share. 🤍
• May this new year bring answered prayers and unforgettable adventures. 🌍
• Grace brought you this far, and faith will carry you forward. ✨
• Birthday prayer: more peace, more purpose, better health, sincere love, and endless reasons to smile. 🙏

💌 Long Birthday Prayers for a Friend

These longer prayers are suitable for cards, letters, emails, Facebook posts, and meaningful WhatsApp messages.

• Happy birthday, my dear friend. Today, I thank God for your life and for every way your friendship has made mine better. I pray that the coming year brings peace to your thoughts, strength to your body, direction to your plans, and joy to your everyday moments. May you be protected from harmful situations and surrounded by people who recognise your sincere heart.
• On your birthday, I ask God to honour every effort you have made, including the ones nobody noticed. May He replace disappointment with direction, exhaustion with renewal, and uncertainty with wisdom. I pray that your next chapter contains meaningful work, healthy relationships, financial stability, good health, and enough time to enjoy the life you are building.
• Happy birthday to a truly valuable friend. I pray that God heals the parts of your heart you rarely discuss and gives you confidence in the person you are becoming. May you stop measuring your progress against other people and begin appreciating how far you have already travelled. Your journey is unique, and I pray that this year helps you embrace it fully.
• Dear God, thank You for giving my friend another year of life. Please guide every important decision, protect every journey, and strengthen them through every challenge. Place honest people around them and remove relationships that create confusion or pain. Help them recognise the opportunities meant for them and give them courage to release what no longer supports their growth.
• Happy birthday, dear friend. I pray that your new year is not merely busy but meaningful. May you have work that uses your abilities, relationships that respect your boundaries, and goals that reflect your true values. When life becomes demanding, may you remember that resting does not mean failing and asking for support does not make you weak.

Birthday Prayer Wishes For A Friend Like Brother

• On this special day, I pray that God fills your life with the kind of happiness that remains after the celebration ends. May your home feel peaceful, your friendships feel safe, and your future feel hopeful. May every difficult experience produce wisdom rather than bitterness, and may every blessing make you more grateful rather than fearful of losing it.
• Happy birthday to the friend who has brought laughter, honesty, and comfort into my life. I ask God to return every kind thing you have done for others. May your generosity be appreciated, your loyalty be respected, and your heart be handled with care. I pray that this year introduces you to people who give as sincerely as you do.
• Dear Lord, bless my friend with health, wisdom, courage, and peace in the year ahead. Help them make choices that protect their future and honour their values. When the path is unclear, provide direction. When progress is slow, provide patience. When success arrives, provide humility. Above all, remind them that their worth is greater than any achievement or failure.
• Happy birthday, my friend. I pray that every closed door saves you from the wrong destination and every unexpected change guides you toward something more suitable. May your plans succeed where they are good for you, and may you receive the wisdom to change them when a better path appears. Let the coming year surprise you with goodness.
• Today, I thank God for the unique person you are and the friendship we have built. I pray that you enter this new year without carrying every disappointment from the previous one. May you forgive what needs to be released, repair what deserves another chance, and walk away from what repeatedly damages your peace. May this birthday mark a genuine new beginning.

🌈 Birthday Prayers for Special Seasons of Life

These messages support friends experiencing significant changes, challenges, or opportunities.

• For a friend beginning a new job: Happy birthday. I pray that God gives you confidence in your new role, supportive colleagues, fair leadership, and opportunities to grow.
• For a friend preparing for examinations: May God calm your anxiety, strengthen your memory, reward your preparation, and help you perform with clarity and confidence.
• For a friend experiencing grief: On your birthday, I pray that God holds you gently through every complicated emotion and allows joyful memories to exist beside your sadness.
• For a friend starting a business: May your ideas become sustainable, your decisions remain wise, and your business grow without taking away your health or peace.
• For a newly married friend: Happy birthday. I pray that your new year brings patience, understanding, shared purpose, and deeper love within your marriage.
• For a friend becoming a parent: May God give you strength for the demanding days, gratitude for the beautiful moments, and confidence in the parent you are becoming.
• For a friend who feels behind in life: Happy birthday. I pray that you stop judging your journey by someone else’s timeline and begin recognising the progress hidden in your own.
• For a friend moving to a new place: May God protect your journey, help you build a welcoming home, and introduce you to trustworthy people who make the new place feel familiar.
• For a friend facing financial pressure: I pray that this year brings stable income, wise opportunities, responsible decisions, and relief from the worries you have carried.
• For a friend rebuilding life after disappointment: Happy birthday. May God give you the courage to trust again, begin again, and believe that one painful chapter does not determine your entire story.

🖊️ How to Personalize a Birthday Prayer for Your Friend

A copied message becomes much more meaningful when it includes a personal detail. You can personalize your chosen prayer by adding:

• Your friend’s name or nickname
• A memory you both value
• Something you admire about their personality
• A challenge they recently overcame
• A goal they are currently pursuing
• A specific prayer for health, work, study, family, or peace
• An inside joke or shared experience
• A Bible reference that matters to them
• A promise to support them in the coming year
• A warm closing that sounds natural in your friendship

You can use this simple structure:

Happy birthday, [Name]. I thank God for [quality, memory, or contribution]. This year, I pray that He gives you [specific blessing] and guides you through [current goal or challenge]. May your new chapter be filled with [three meaningful wishes]. I am grateful to have you as my friend.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good birthday prayer for a friend?

A good birthday prayer thanks God for your friend’s life and asks for blessings connected to their real needs. For example:

“Happy birthday, my dear friend. I thank God for your life and pray that He gives you peace, good health, wisdom, protection, and success in the coming year.”

How do I wish my friend a blessed birthday?

Keep your greeting warm and personal:

“Wishing you a truly blessed birthday. May God guide your decisions, protect your peace, and fill your new year with meaningful opportunities.”

What is a short birthday prayer for a best friend?

“Happy birthday, best friend. May God protect you, strengthen your faith, and make your new year peaceful, successful, and full of joy.”

What can I write in a religious birthday card?

Begin with a birthday greeting, mention why the person is important to you, and end with a specific prayer:

“Happy birthday. Your friendship has been a great blessing in my life. I pray that God gives you health, happiness, clarity, and countless reasons to remain hopeful.”

Can I send a birthday prayer through WhatsApp or Instagram?

Yes. A birthday prayer can be shared through WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, a text message, an email, or a handwritten card. Short prayers work well for captions and comments, while longer prayers are better for direct messages and cards.

How can I make a birthday prayer sound original?

Add your friend’s name, mention a shared memory, recognise a quality you admire, and pray for something relevant to their present life. Specific details make even a short message feel sincere and personal.

🎯 Final Thoughts

A meaningful birthday prayer does more than celebrate your friend’s age. It honours their journey, recognises their value, and expresses hope for the life still ahead of them.

Whether you choose a short birthday blessing, an emotional prayer, a Christian message, a funny wish, or a long note, make the words sound like they came from you. Add your friend’s name, mention something you genuinely appreciate, and include a prayer that reflects their current needs.

The most memorable message is not always the longest or most poetic. It is the one that makes your friend feel understood, valued, and sincerely remembered.

Happy birthday to your wonderful friend. May the coming year bring them peace in their heart, strength in difficult moments, success in meaningful work, and countless reasons to thank God.