40 Powerful Thanksgiving Prayers and Blessings to Inspire Gratitude This Year

We have collected some of our favorite Thanksgiving prayers and blessings to inspire you and your loved ones on Thanksgiving Day and beyond. Whether you read these out loud word for word or use them to guide your own quiet time prayer with God, expressing gratitude can provide powerful daily transformation! Be further inspired to praise God with Bible verses about Thanksgiving.

To help you in thanking God, we created a 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE. Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises.

Traditional Prayer for Thanksgiving

Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen. — Unknown

Psalm of Thanksgiving

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:1-6)

Read more Psalms of Thanksgiving for biblical inspiration of gratitude.

A Thanksgiving Prayer from the Bible

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This verse reminds us to be thankful in all circumstances, emphasizing the importance of gratitude as a central aspect of our faith. You can incorporate this verse into your Thanksgiving prayer, expressing your thanks for God's presence and blessings in your life. Let us pray:

Thanking God for His Blessings

O God, we come before You with a heart overflowing with gratitude. You are the source of every blessing in our lives, and we are humbled by Your love and grace.

Thank You for the countless blessings You have poured into our lives—big and small. Lord, we are grateful for the blessings that are not only material provision but eternal blessings of faith and hope. 

Lord, we are grateful for Your unwavering presence in our lives, for Your guidance in times of uncertainty, and Your comfort in times of sorrow.  Help us to remember those less fortunate and to be a source of blessings to those in need. May Your love and grace flow through us to touch the lives of others.

In Jesus' name, we offer this prayer of thanksgiving. Amen.

A Powerful Thanksgiving Blessing

Father God, As we gather around this table with family and loved ones, are hearts are filled with gratitude. We thank You for the gift of life itself, for every breath we take, and for the abundance that surrounds us. Your blessings are too numerous to count, and we are humbled by Your generosity.

Thank You for the love of family and friends, for the warmth of their presence, and for the bonds that unite us. We cherish the moments of laughter, the shared joys, and the comfort of their love.

Lord, we thank You for the challenges we have faced, for through them, we have grown stronger and wiser. We recognize that even in difficult times, Your grace sustains us, and Your love never wavers.

We are grateful for the food before us, a reminder of Your provision and the hands that prepared it. May it nourish our bodies and strengthen our spirits.

Above all, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, we find redemption, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life. His love and grace are the greatest blessings of all.

As we partake in this meal, may our hearts be filled not only with food but with Your love. May our gratitude extend beyond this day and be a constant attitude in our lives.

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

A Prayer of Gratitude

Let us, therefore, proclaim our gratitude to Providence for manifold blessings–let us be humbly thankful for inherited ideals–and let us resolve to share those blessings and those ideals with our fellow human beings throughout the world.

On that day let us gather in sanctuaries dedicated to worship and in homes blessed by family affection to express our gratitude for the glorious gifts of God, and let us earnestly and humbly pray that He will continue to guide and sustain us in the great unfinished tasks of achieving peace, justice, and understanding among all men and nations and of ending misery and suffering wherever they exist. – John F. Kennedy, Thanksgiving Day, 1963

A Child's Blessing Prayer

God, I thank you for the family and friends you surround me with. Thank you for another day to wake up and celebrate life. Thank you for the strength to play and food to nourish me. Most importantly, thank you for your love for me. Amen. 

Traditional Thanksgiving Prayer

O Lord our God and heavenly Father,
in your indescribable mercy
you have provided food and drink
for the nourishment of our weak bodies.

Grant us peace
to use these gifts from your hands
with thankful, reverent hearts.
Let your blessing rest on these your gifts,
to our comfort and sustenance.

Grant, good Lord,
that as we hunger and thirst for this food for our bodies,
so may our souls earnestly long after
the Bread of eternal Life,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Source: George Webb, 1625.

A Daily Thanksgiving Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen. - Debbie McDaniel

A Scriptural Blessing of Thankfulness

Lord, teach me to be thankful in all circumstances. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who was thankful even in a dark prison. I want to choose praise even in the difficulties in my life. [Name those difficulties, thanking God for how He is using them for your good.] Help me to rise up to a new level of praise and thanksgiving. Help me to see that a thankful heart paves the way for blessing, and the enemy is defeated when I praise You. I want to glorify You and advance Your Kingdom through my praises. Help me to use Your Word as I worship You. I choose to walk in Your peace, listen carefully to You, and live expectantly. Thank You for helping me to be thankful in all my circumstances.

Prayer of Thanksgiving to God Almighty

Almighty God, You are the Creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, the One who holds all things in Your hands. I am in awe of Your greatness, Your power, and Your love.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the countless blessings You have poured into my life. I thank You for the gift of existence, for the beauty of creation that surrounds me, and for the breath of life that sustains me each day.

I am grateful for the gift of Your Word, which guides and enlightens my path. Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice offers me salvation and eternal life.

As I offer this prayer of thanksgiving, I acknowledge that all blessings come from You, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. I offer my heartfelt gratitude, knowing that You deserve all honor and praise. Amen.

Grateful for Today

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful today. My heart overflows with gratitude. For eyes that see. For ears that hear. For fingers that grasp. For knees that bend. For lungs that breathe. I am so thankful for my family, my home, my Savior. Today, I ask for nothing and thank You for all things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Sharon Jaynes

Praise and Thanksgiving

Father, We praise you today with our hearts and songs, we praise you for your faithfulness, we praise you for your great power and love. We confess our need for you, our lives don't go so well when we just spin around on our own. We struggle and worry, get weary and worn. Yet you never leave us. Thank you for your presence. We ask for your spirit to fill us, to draw us close to yourself, and to work your purposes through us, as we set our eyes on you. Amen.

We Thank You for All Your Benefits

Lord God, heavenly Father,
We thank you for all your benefits.
You have given us body and life
and have graciously sustained us to this day.
Do not take your blessing from us.

Preserve us from greed,
that we may serve you only,
love you and abide in you
and not defile ourselves by idolatrous love
of wealth or goods, but hope and trust only in your grace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Trinity 15

Thanksgiving Because of Him

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. ~ Psalm 50:14-15 NIV

Father, Thank You for loving us enough to not allow us to continue in our religious ways. Thank You for Your pursuit of us. Forgive us for cutting You out of our holidays, especially the ONE designed to turn our heads and hands upward in thanksgiving. Thank You for who You are. You alone are worthy of all our praise! In Jesus’ Name, Amen! Amen!  - Jill Rindfuss

Thanksgiving Prayer For Zeal

O almighty and merciful Father,
you pour out your benefits on us,
forgive our unthankfulness for your goodness.

We have stood before you with dead and senseless hearts,
unkindled by the love of your gentle and enduring goodness.

O merciful Father, turn us and we will be turned.
Make us hunger and thirst for you with our whole heart,
and with all our longing desire you.

Make us serve you with our whole heart
and with all our zeal seek whatever is pleasing in your sight;
for the sake of your only Son,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Source: St. Anselm, eleventh century

Blessing of Gratitude

“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)

Dear God, Thank You not only for Your countless blessings but for the challenges that draw us near to You. Thank You for the hard moments when You gave me the strength to wait out the storm. Jesus, You are so good. Whatever storms come into my life, You are my Rock and my Shelter. Thank You for Your sustenance that fills me, Your light that surrounds me, and Your love that never fails. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Wendi Lou Lee

Thankful for Love

Dear God, Thank you that you are a loving, gracious God. Thank you that you’ve offered us forgiveness and the gift of new life in you. Thank you that your love is perfect, it never fails, and that nothing can separate us from your love.

We pray that our lives would be filled and overflowing with the power of your love so we can make a difference in this world and bring honor to you. We ask for your help in reminding us that the most important things are not what we do outwardly, it’s not based on any talent or gift, but the most significant thing we can do in this life is simply to love you and to choose to love others. - Debbie McDaniel

Thank God For His Blessings

Lord, forgive me for focusing more on the negatives in my life than the positives. Thank You for Your blessing of love, grace, mercy and eternal life. Fill my heart with Your spirit this Thanksgiving so I can be thank-full. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Tracie Miles

God, You Are Good!

Lord, I am thankful for Your goodness in my life. You have saved me, delivered me, redeemed me, and changed me. My entire life is marked by Your supernatural goodness and mercy! It is true that You have showered me with nonstop blessings - and today I want to take this opportunity to thank You for every good thing You've done in my life.  (Rick Renner)

A Prayer for a Truly Thankful Heart

Lord, teach us to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all our daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances.

A Prayer to Teach Kids Thankfulness

Lord, I pray that the message of Christ and his sacrifice is the root of gratitude in my heart. That His gracious gift leads me to thankful living, setting an example for my children. That they will have their own relationship with Jesus one day, and that You would grow gratitude in their hearts out of the acceptance of Jesus as their Savior. Lead us to do everything in the name of Jesus and give thanks to You through Him. - Marie Osborne, Contributor

Thankful for All Things

Dear God, Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day. We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you. We pray that you’d keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own. May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Amen - Debbie McDaniel

A Prayer to Give Thanks to the Lord

Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in my life. Defeat Him through my sacrifice of praise. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances.

Praise God's Goodness

Dear Lord, teach me to keep my eyes on You. I praise You for every victory, seen and unseen, as day upon day I gather the plunder of Your goodness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Branda Bradford Ottinger

Make Us Grateful

Jesus, Make us grateful. Give us eyes to see what it is that really makes us blessed, and forgive us when we allow our gratitude to extend only to those blessings which can be measured in “likes.” For we know that when all else fades, faith, hope, and love remain (1 Corinthians. 13:13). In Your Name, Amen.

Expressing Gratitude and Thanks to God

Lord Jesus, forgive me for not saying “Thank You.” I repent of focusing on the things I don’t have, instead of the blessings You have given me. I want to be like the one who returned to express gratitude. Thank You for saving me, forgiving me and providing for my needs each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.- Arlene Pellicane

Thank You, Faithful God

Dear Lord, You are faithful beyond measure and I thank you for sustaining my family through difficult and trying times. Thank you for the Bible that reminds me of your faithfulness; and thank you for holding my future securely in your hand of provision. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessing Over Burden

Lord, I long to feel happy and joyful again. Prick my heart each time I focus on burdens instead of blessings. Help me develop an intentional attitude of gratitude. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm Prayers of Thanksgiving

Psalm 95 - "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods..."

Psalm 100 - "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 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 118:29 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 103:1-5 - "Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."

Psalm 136:1-5 - "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. "

Sources:

• Thanksgiving Prayer - 20 Encouraging and Inspiring Prayers! ~ Crosswalk.com
• A Prayer of Thanksgiving ~ Encouragement Café
• Thanksgiving Day Prayers ~ acollectionofprayers.com

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Choreograph

Originally published: 09/11/2020