As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, gathering around tables filled with an abundance of food, family, and friends, we take the time to give thanks for the many blessings we have in our lives and this country.
But rather than saying a quick prayer of thanks, you can cultivate a thankful heart this holiday season and establish a lifestyle of gratitude. Thankfulness is the key to many life successes—including spiritual victories.
Think of Paul and Silas. Locked in a prison cell, rather than complain and fall into self-pity, they began to give praise and thanksgiving to God.
What happened?
“All the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose” (Acts 16:26, NIV).
Every door. Every chain. All because of a thankful heart.
Do you need doors opened and chains loosed today? Unleash the power of praise and thanksgiving with these 18 scriptures to cultivate a thankful heart.
1. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
2. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14
Indeed it came to pass when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
3. Psalm 7:17
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
4. Psalm 9:1
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
5. Psalm 34:1
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
6. Psalm 35:28
And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
7. Psalm 95:2-3
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods.
8. Psalm 100:4
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
9. Psalm 107:8-9
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
10. Psalm 150:2
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
11. Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
12. Isaiah 12:4
Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted.
13. Jeremiah 20:13
Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
14. Jeremiah 30:19
Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
15. 2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16. Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
17. Colossians 3:17
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.
18. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
We hope these scriptures have encouraged you and helped stir gratitude in your heart! This Thanksgiving, reflect on God’s goodness and meditate on His blessings and kindness to you. You can even use these 18 scriptures as a conversation starter at the Thanksgiving dinner table to inspire your family. Then, tuck them in your Bible and use them as a reminder throughout the year to continually work to cultivate a thankful heart.
