It has become a tradition for us in the month of November to talk about gratitude and reflect on the things we are grateful for in our lives.

This year, I was reminded of this great quote by author Anne Lamott.

“Here are the two best prayers I know: 'Help me, help me, help me' and 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.” - Anne Lamott

Most of the time, we focus on some version of the first prayer: asking for help and praying/worrying about all the things that are wrong in the world—and all the things we wish were different in our lives.

In this season of Thanksgiving, we are invited to turn our hearts toward gratitude and to remember all the things that are good and right in the world and in our lives.

And boy, do we need to be reminded of that this week, with attacks in Paris and stories of suffering around our world. It has been heartbreaking. Sometimes it seems that evil and the powers of darkness have the upper hand. But coming back to gratitude reminds us that "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).

So, what are you grateful for? What are the barriers you find to practicing gratitude? Have you ever found yourself feeling grateful even in the midst of challenge or suffering? Are you giving thanks on Facebook? Do you keep a gratitude journal? How do you cultivate gratitude? What difference has it made for you? Where are the lights that shine in your life?