FOR MANY, Thanksgiving is just a holiday to gather with family and friends, eat turkey, and watch football. But what does the Bible say about giving thanks?

Throughout the scriptures, we see verse after verse highlighting the important role thankfulness has in the Christian life, despite the circumstances. As believers, we shouldn’t limit giving thanks to a single day. It should be such a habit that it naturally flows out of us every day. We should be so full of appreciation for everything God has done for us that we just can’t keep silent.

The following scriptures will help you begin to be grateful or remain motivated to live in gratitude. Incorporate them into your daily devotional time. And share them with your family and friends as you gather around the holiday table.

1 Samuel 12:24

24 Be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.

1 Chronicles 16:8

8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.

Psalm 50:7, 23

7 “O my people, listen as I speak. . . .

23 “Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.”

Psalm 92:1–2

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.

2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.

Psalm 100:4

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 103:1–2

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 107:8–9

8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

9 For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 136:1

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Ephesians 5:4

4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Ephesians 5:20

20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Colossians 3:17

17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:28

28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Hebrews 13:15

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

James 1:17

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Prayer For A Heart of Thanksgiving

Lord, forgive me for neglecting to give You thanks and praise each day. Forgive me for whining and complaining instead of being grateful. Teach me to pray continually, to be joyful always, and to give thanks in all my circumstances. Help me to start fresh and make daily praise and thanksgiving a habit. I want to begin by thanking You for Your love and Your grace and for all the times You’ve already blessed me, in the Name of Jesus.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.