“Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Our lives should be filled with thanksgiving at all times. But, sometimes we need help focusing on our blessings. It’s not in our nature to rejoice always or to give thanks in all circumstances.

Sometimes we want to express gratitude but the words fail us. These prayers and blessings of thanksgiving will help you tell the Lord exactly how much you appreciate all he has blessed you and your family with this holiday season and all year long (because we can be thankful all the time).

10 Prayers and Blessings for Thanksgiving

These prayers and blessings are for personal, daily use, for group settings, or for Thanksgiving day gatherings. They are based on scripture. There are also prayer prompts for journaling or leading others.

1. A Personal Prayer of Thanksgiving

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1 NIV

Lord, thank you will all of my heart. Your deeds toward me are wonderful. Thank you specifically for__________________ and ____________________. Give me a grateful heart. Allow me to express all of my appreciation for you love, hope, peace, and grace. Help me to show others your wonderful deeds and grow their gratitude. Amen.

2. Thanking God for Good Gifts

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 NIV

Father, every good and perfect gift comes from You. We are so overwhelmed with the good gifts of family, friends, and __________________. Thank you that you never change and that you always give us better than we deserve. Help us to never take your blessings for granted and to always express our gratitude. Amen.

3. Thankful for Spiritual Blessings

O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. ~ Psalm 95:1-3 NIV

God, thank you for saving us by faith in Christ Jesus. Thank you for giving us hope, peace, love, and joy. We are grateful for prayer, the Bible, and for the gathering of the saints. Keep us expressing our appreciation by serving you with these blessings. Amen.

4. Thanksgiving Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen

5. Thanksgiving Prayer for a Family Gathering

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations. ~Psalm 100:4-5

Lord, we enter your presence with thanksgiving and praise. You are good and your love and faithfulness are evident in all generations gathered here today. Thank you for your provision and guidance. Thank you for family, food, and fellowship on this wonderful day of giving thanks. Amen.

Gratitude Quotes for a Thankful Heart

6. Thanksgiving Blessing from Psalm 67

The great thing about this blessing is that it’s straight from God’s word and can be prayed in part or whole straight from the Bible. The closing makes it such a great harvest time blessing as it alludes to the fact that God has provided us so much from His creation.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
 so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
 May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

 The land yields its harvest;
    God, our God, blesses us.
 May God bless us still,
    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. ~Psalm 67 NIV

7. Traditional American Blessing of Thanks

In a world where so many are hungry,
May we eat this food with humble hearts;
In a world where so many are lonely,
May we share this friendship with joyful hearts. (Author Unknown)

8. Gratitude Blessing Over Others

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 NIV

May your message, Christ, dwell richly in ______________. May they have gratitude in their heart for your wisdom and guidance. May they sing with gratitude because of their many blessings and gifts that you have generously supplied to them. Give them peace, comfort, and joy in Jesus. Amen.

Gratitude ABCs Download

9. Thanksgiving Blessing for Your Family

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV

Heavenly Father, we as a family want to live with an attitude of thanksgiving. Bless us with the willing Spirit to give thanks and honor you in all we do, in word and in deed. Strengthen us with a blessed assurance that you are with us and are working in us and through us to accomplish your will. Fill our hearts in with gratitude as we serve you. Amen.

10. The Priestly Blessing

The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace. ~ Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

God, you love to bless your children. You long to give grace and peace to those who know you. May we turn our hearts to you so you can turn your face to us and bless us and keep us, and be gracious to us. With gratitude and thanksgiving, we bless your holy name and ask for your continued favor. Amen.

More Thanksgiving Resources

• 5 Family Bible Lessons For Thanksgiving

• A Prayer for God’s Favor

• Fall Bible Verses and Images for Families

• 10 of the Best Fall Resources for Christian Familie