Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. For me, everything about it emphasizes its theme: a day to give thanks. Family gathers together. We watch football. We prepare and serve a feast. We eat pumpkin pie. We work together (hopefully) to clean up the giant mess we made. Every year, I am simply overwhelmed by all that I have for which I can be thankful. Yet, somehow, I can get so caught up in the togetherness, football, and food that I forget the Giver. The Scriptures tell us we need to be thankful all the time. However, as a tradition, we set aside this one day each year that we celebrate God’s provision with a gathering and feast. This is good. The provision is wonderful. But the provider is even better. So, here are five prayers I will be praying this Thanksgiving to remember the God who gave us his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit so that we may have abundant life in him. Will you join me in prayer this Thanksgiving?

Five prayers for Thanksgiving

Prayer one

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. - 1 Chronicles 16:34

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. - James 1:17-18

Holy Father, thank you for your love that endures forever. In your Spirit, we give thanks every day. But, this one day each year, we gather to celebrate your goodness, your gifts, and your provision. We pause to praise you that every good and perfect gift comes from you, that we have so much for which we are thankful. Above all, thank you for your gift of salvation through your Son Jesus Christ, from whom we receive forgiveness of our sins and life everlasting. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Prayer two

[B]e filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:18b-20

Father God, on this Thanksgiving may our celebration be pleasing to you. Thank you for the opportunity to gather together for the blessing of conversation and fellowship. May those in our company who do not yet know you experience your love through us. Give us grace to imitate Jesus in any strained relationships we have, with power to act in love, peace, patience, and kindness. We give thanks to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer three

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. - Isaiah 55:10-12

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” - Hebrews 12:28-29

Dear Lord, this Thanksgiving we give you thanks in a time of difficulty and division in our country and around the world. We’re thankful that your kingdom “cannot be shaken,” that above all the turmoil caused the evil one and human sin, you are sovereign. May we give thanks in the knowledge and peace that you reign, that your Word does not come back to you empty. Though the world shakes, you provide for our needs in all seasons. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer four

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6

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

Lord Jesus, we lay our anxieties down before you. Because you intercede for us, we can bring our requests confidently to the Father through you. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom are we able to be thankful in the first place. With you, it is possible for us to “rejoice always” and “pray continually” with thankful hearts “in all circumstances.” In your glorious name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer five

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7

Amazing God, thank you for giving us life in Christ Jesus. This Thanksgiving, we ask you to continue to strengthen us in Jesus Christ, driving roots deep into the soil of who he is, your Son. In the days following this celebration of your awesome provision, may the Holy Spirit well up thankfulness in our hearts to overflowing every day. Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus. Amen.

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