Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on the abundance of God's blessings. It’s a time to gather with loved ones and express our heartfelt gratitude through prayer. Whether you have a cherished tradition of praying around the dinner table or are seeking to start a new one, offering a blessing before your Thanksgiving meal is a beautiful way to celebrate and acknowledge the countless gifts God has bestowed upon us.
As we come together this Thanksgiving, over 200 years after the first Americans celebrated Thanksgiving, let’s not only give thanks for the present moment but also recognize the past and anticipate the future. By focusing on all that God has done, is doing, and will continue to do, we make the day more meaningful for ourselves and our loved ones.
We know you're busying preparing and planning for all the events of this day. To help you find the perfect prayer of thanks, we’ve gathered a collection of heartfelt prayers. These prayers are designed to inspire gratitude, highlight God’s blessings, and set a heartwarming tone of reverence and joy before your holiday meal.
"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20).
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.
Table of Contents
- Short Thanksgiving Prayers
- A Simple Prayer of Thanks
- Prayer of Gratitude
- Thanksgiving Dinner Prayer
- A Scripture Prayer to be Thankful
- Prayer for a Thankful Heart
- A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
- For God's Goodness and Blessings
- Prayer of Blessing for Family
- Short and Simple Thanksgiving Blessings
Short Thanksgiving Prayers
Here are some sample prayers of thanks and blessing to use at the dinner table. We have included both traditional as well as more simple, modern prayers:
1. Dear Lord, thank you for this meal and for all of our many blessings. Amen.
2. Heavenly Father, we come to you with thanksgiving for the many blessings you’ve given us, especially our friends and family, and for the nourishment you provide. Amen.
3. Dear Lord, thank you for being here with us today. Guide our hearts toward gratitude now and every day. Amen.
4. "Heavenly Father, we gather today with hearts filled with gratitude. Sharing this meal reminds us of the endless blessings You bestow upon us. We pray in thanksgiving for this food we share and for all the ways You’ve shown us Your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen."
5. "Dear God, thank You for this meal and for those who prepared it. We give You thanks, most of all, for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please bless our meal and all who are gathered to share it, and all our loved ones who can’t be with us today. We ask this as we ask all things through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."
6. "O Lord, bless the food of thy servants for Thou art holy now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
A Simple Prayer of Thanks
Dear God, on this Thanksgiving Day,
I want to pause and thank you for your blessings.
For another day, for family, friends, for food on the table.
You are the source of all good things,
We praise you for the simple things that bring us joy.
Help us keep our eyes on you this day and every day
So our lives may be filled with praise and joy. Amen.
Thanksgiving Prayers from the Bible
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.
He 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.
The LORD is good, and his love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Amen (Psalm 100)
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 your youth is renewed like the eagles.
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. Amen (Psalm 103)
Songs of Praise
In that day you will say: “I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
n that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (Isaiah 12:1-6)
A Thanksgiving Prayer For All Things
Thank you, God, for this food we are about to eat. And thank You for Your many blessings on us this past year...the ones we've seen and those we haven't seen. Thank you, God, for the times You have said "no." They have helped us depend on You so much more. Thank you, God, for the unanswered prayers. It reminds us that You know what's best for us, even when our opinion differs. Thank You for the things you have withheld. You have protected us from what we may never realize. Thank You, God, for the doors You have closed. They have prevented us from going where You would rather not have us go. Thank you, Lord, for the physical pain You've allowed in our lives. It has helped us more closely relate to Your sufferings on our behalf.
Thank you, Lord, for the alone times in our lives. Those times have forced us to lean in closer to You. Thank you, God, for the uncertainties we've experienced. They have deepened our trust in You. Thank You, Lord, for the times You came through for us when we didn't even know we needed a rescue. Thank You, Lord, for the losses we have experienced. They have been a reminder that You are our greatest gain. Thank You, God, for the tears we have shed. They have kept our hearts soft and moldable. Thank You, God, for the times we haven't been able to control our circumstances. They have reminded us that You are sovereign and on the throne.
Thank You, God, for Your ability to turn what we consider 'tragedy' into a treasure. Thank You, God, for those You have called home to be with You. Their absence from this earth reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on heaven. Thank You, God, that we have an inheritance in the heavenly places...something that this world can never steal from us and we could never selfishly squander. Thank You, God, for the greatest gift You could ever give us: forgiveness through Your perfect Son's death on the cross on our behalf. Thank you, God, for the righteousness You credited toward us, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It's a righteousness we could never attain on our own. Thank You not only for our eternal salvation but for the salvation You afford us every day of our lives as You save us from ourselves, our foolishness, our own limited insights, and our frailties in light of Your power and strength.
Thank You, God, for all that You have allowed and not allowed in our lives this past year. For we commit our lives anew to You this day and ask that You would continue to remind us, throughout this next year, that You are God, You are on the throne, and You are eternally good. Thank You, finally, that we can pray in the name of Jesus, who made our access to You—and a personal relationship with You—possible. Amen. We hope this Thanksgiving prayer brings your family joy and gladness this holiday. Use this prayer all year round to continue to renew your mind and focus on God's goodness. ~ Cindi McMenamin
A Prayer for Gratitude and Thanksgiving
Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.
Forgive us when we don't thank you enough for who you are, for all you do, and for all 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 Prayer of Thanks for Food and Family
Thank You, Lord God, for this food we are about to eat. Thank You for the hands that have prepared it, for those sitting around the table who are here to share it, and for the ability to be here together under one roof, and enjoy these blessings at Your hand. We realize that everything we have comes from You and for that, we are eternally grateful. We also thank You for what we don’t have this year, for we trust that You have withheld in Your goodness and out of Your protection for us.
Thank You that Scripture says You are a Good Father who loves to give gifts to Your children. We sit here as evidence of Your goodness. Thank You for the gift of today and all who are here to share it with us. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen. ~ Cindi McMenamin
A Thanksgiving Dinner Prayer for Blessings Past and Present
Lord God, we gather around this table to humbly thank You for all that You have given us this past year – not just what is on this table, but who is sitting around this table. Thank you for life and laughter, health and happiness, relationships and memories. Thank you, too, for the lessons learned and the tears we’ve cried because of Your ability to grow us through them. Thank You for Your comfort and presence, in light of good days and bad.
Thank You for what we have now, what we had yesterday, and what You will continue to give tomorrow. Let us never take that for granted, but to always be grateful for every good and perfect gift that comes from You. May we have hearts full of thanksgiving today and every day of our lives. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen. ~ Cindi McMenamin
A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
O My God, Thou fairest, greatest, first of all, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow. When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigor, for providing sense to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding; for thy royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends, for the ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly. I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures. Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity. ~ Valley of Vision, a Puritan Prayer
Giving Thanks
Lord, thank you so much. For Your gift of salvation and Your many promises that bring me hope, peace, and joy. May I see today all I have to be thankful for. In Jesus Christ’s Name, I pray, Amen.
For God's Blessing
Dear God, Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us as with a shield. We ask that we would walk in your blessing and goodness today. That your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from.
Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Debbie McDaniel
A Prayer for Daily Thanksgiving
Dear God, I hate to say it, but I have been guilty of grumbling and griping about all my problems and trials. I have failed to be thankful and to remember that You are at work in my life, even through all the troubles. Please forgive me, God. I want to be a person who keeps my eyes on You and praises You, no matter what may come my way. So, thank you God for these blessings (name them) and these challenges (name them). I know You are in control of all things. I know You love me and work all things together for my good. I choose to trust You, Lord. Teach me to be a “praiser” who always finds the good... and not a complainer who always finds the bad. In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ Pastor Jeff Shreve, From His Heart Ministries
A Scripture Prayer to be Thankful
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. ~ Debbie Przybylski
A Prayer of Thanks to God for All Blessings
God, I love You more than anything else. You are the most important in my life. You are my Creator, my Savior, my Redeemer, my best friend, and my Heavenly Father. Please help me Oh God. Your name is the name above all names. You are Lord and King of all. You know everything that happens to me. You know all my wants, my desires, my needs. I put all my trust in You, You who love me so much that You died for me on the Cross. Oh Lord, You are my God and I love You so much. Nobody can take Your place in my heart. I know that You save and You honor those who love You, oh God. Oh my Lord, please be with me. Please help me in all I ask of You. I know that nothing is impossible for You, for You are great and glorious and mighty in all Your works oh Lord. I only need to look around, at the beautiful sunsets, the rising sun, and I see Your glory in creation. Yet, that is such a small fragment of Your glory. Your ways above our human ways, Your thoughts far above ours. Oh God, I love You, now and forevermore. be with me always my King. You are the great Majesty. Who can claim to be as great as You, oh Lord. Lord, I love You. I worship You. I honor You. I praise You. I adore You. You are the one true God, Lord, and King. Lord my God, without You I am nothing. God, You are everything, and I am only a miserable sinner. What can I do without You, Lord? I need You. Lord I want to praise You. I want that all should know You and Your saving grace. Lord, upon me please send showers of blessings, even though I am so undeserving. Lord I need Your blessings in my life. I ask You to work Your wonders in my life, for I need it so much my good Lord Jesus! To You be all praise, love, adoration, glory, and worship. You are my King and Lord forever. Amen. ~ Praywithme.com
We Thank Thee, Jesus - Psalm 136
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and Thy glory above all the earth. Amen! For what we have received, O Lord, we are devoutly thankful. May it be health to our body, as Thy presence is health to our souls. Amen! Thou hast been very good to us, O Lord, through all our lives, and these are only the latest of countless bounties. To Thee be thanksgiving and glory, world without end. Amen! Lord, we thank Thee for this meal. We will again set about our tasks; and may it be with the renewed sense of Thy loving presence and tender care. Amen! We thank Thee, Jesus, our bountiful Provider, for what Thou hast given us. As Thou hast fed us here, continue to feed us, we pray Thee, with the Bread of Life. Amen! ~ Praywithme.com
A Prayer for a Thankful Heart
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. I thank You for… [Name a difficult circumstance in your life presently and thank God for it.]
Jesus, I want to be like You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict me whenever I complain or compare myself with others. Give me Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. I choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give praise to Your name (Hebrews 13:15). I long to bring a smile to Your face. Teach me the power of a thankful heart. I know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart.
“I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17-18:1). In Jesus’ name, amen. ~ Debbie Przybylski
To Be Thankful for All
God, sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen. ~ Wendy Van Eyck
So Thankful
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
For Praise and Thankfulness
Dear Lord, may we never be ashamed to praise your name. It is easy to rejoice when life is going well, but we quickly turn away and grumble when challenges arise. Help us to give thanks in all circumstances. Help us live humble, grateful lives. Today, Lord, help us remember your goodness toward us. In your name we pray, Amen. ~ Pastor Jack Graham
A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
O My God,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before thee
in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou has given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing sense to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.
I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou art to thy creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity. - Puritan Prayers, Valley of Vision
Thank God for His Blessings and Favor
Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us, as with a shield. We ask for your guidance so that we might walk fully in your blessing and goodness today. We ask that your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from. Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. In Jesus Name, Amen. ~ Debbie McDaniel
Thank You, Father
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
For God's Goodness
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. The situations I have faced in my life have put You to the test, and You have jumped at every chance to prove how good You are. In fact, Your goodness to me has been constant and never-ending. I praise You and thank You for loving me so much! ~ Rick Renner
For Humble, Grateful Lives
Dear Lord, may we never be ashamed to praise your name. It is easy to rejoice when life is going well, but we quickly turn away and grumble when challenges arise. Help us to give thanks in all circumstances. Help us live humble, grateful lives. Today, Lord, help us remember your goodness toward us. In your name, we pray, Amen. ~ Pastor Jack Graham
A Prayer for Gratitude and Promises
Father, I come to You, confessing that I tend to have a heart that is filled with whining and complaining instead of gratitude. Please forgive me. Help me learn to see Your hand at work in my life. I want to trust You even when I don’t understand my circumstances. Right now, I choose to praise You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Mary Southerland
A Prayer of Blessing for Your Family
Dear Father, In Your beautiful book of Psalms, chapter 103 and verse 17, You give us this wonderful promise, “From everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.” What better promise could we receive from You in the autumn of our lives than to see our children and children’s children blessed with Your love and righteousness? We ask for Your hand of blessing on us as well. Bless us with the strength to be there for those we love, and wisdom to know what to say to bring comfort, encouragement, and sometimes difficult truth. We will need Your patience as we wait for Your perfect will and way in each of our loved ones’ lives. We are so grateful, Lord God.
The Power of Praise and Thanks
Lord, teach me to praise You. Help me see and understand the power of praising You in my life. I want to bring You pleasure, Father. I praise You for Your love and faithfulness to me. Your presence in my life changes everything, empowering me to live each moment of every day, content in knowing You are in control. As I face today, Lord, remind me that no matters what happens, I can praise You! In Jesus’s name, amen.
10 Quick Thanksgiving Blessings Before the Meal
"May our hearts be filled with gratitude as we gather around this table today. Bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Amen."
"On this Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the love of family, the joy of friendship, and the abundance of this meal. Amen."
"As we break bread together, let us also break the barriers that separate us and embrace the spirit of unity and thankfulness. Amen."
"Grateful for the blessings of this season, we pause to thank the One who provides. Bless us, O Lord, and this meal we share. Amen."
"May this Thanksgiving bring us closer to each other and to God. Bless this food and our time together. Amen."
"As we gather in thanksgiving, may our hearts be filled with love, our homes with laughter, and our tables with plenty. Amen."
"Let us give thanks for the blessings of this day and for the love that surrounds us. Bless this meal and those who partake in it. Amen."
"On this Thanksgiving, may we be reminded of the countless reasons to be grateful. Bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Amen."
"As we come together in gratitude, may we also remember those in need. Bless this meal, and may it nourish both body and soul. Amen."
"With hearts full of thanks, we gather to share this meal and the love that binds us. Bless us, O Lord, and this food we receive. Amen."
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Ephesians 5:20
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! ~ Psalm 107:1
Read more Bible verses about Thanksgiving for inspiration of true gratitude.
It is our hope that these prayers inspire your faith and strengthen your walk with Jesus Christ! May blessings abound today and every day! Happy Thanksgiving.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Choreograph
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
