Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings in our lives and give thanks for all that we have. For Christians this holiday reminds us of God's promises and faithfulness. Throughout the Bible, there are countless examples of God's provision and protection for his people, even in the midst of trials and challenges.
By focusing on these promises and expressing gratitude for them, we can strengthen our faith and trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. As we gather with loved ones and enjoy a delicious feast, let us also take time to acknowledge and give thanks for the many ways in which God has blessed us and fulfilled his promises in our lives.
Here are 5 Bible verses and prayers for Thanksgiving and God's promises for any day.
Give Thanks In All Circumstances
The first book of Thessalonians is a letter written by Paul the Apostle to the church in Thessalonica, located in current day Greece. Believed to be one of Paul's first letters is was likely written sometime around AD 48 to AD 52.
Paul's epistle of 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 focuses on how Christians should behave and in particular giving thanks in all circumstances.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thanking God for His Enduring Love
Psalm 106:1-5 is an expression of happiness and of God's enduring love and grace.
1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?
3 Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.
4 Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them,
5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise.
A Prayer for the Harvest
A prayer for the harvest from the Book of Common Prayer:
O gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let thy Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show thy loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what thou givest, that men and women everywhere may give thee thanks; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving Prayer from the B.C.P.
A prayer of thanksgiving from the Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and living-kindness to us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, bur in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days.; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Gratitude to God
The Book of Daniel is about God's sovereignty of history and over all earthly kings. Daniel prays with gratitude to God for wisdom in the story of Daniel 2:19-23:
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Also in Rejoice In Hope
Advent Season: History, Celebration, and Significance in 2024
Saint Luke the Evangelist: A Closer Look at His Life and Writings
