Americans love Thanksgiving. It’s a special time to gather with family and friends, share a delicious meal, watch parades and football, and take an afternoon nap. Thanksgiving is also the perfect time to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives and thank Him for the countless blessings He gives to us.
As you share the holiday with those around you this year, take a few moments to focus on God by sharing these thoughts, scriptures and blessings. They will enrich your time together!
Thanksgiving Thoughts
When George Washington issued the first presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation, he said: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefit, and humbly to implore His protection.”
You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Thanksgiving Scriptures
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 100 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4–7 (NIV)
Thanksgiving Blessings
I pray that the Lord will bless and protect you, and that he will show you mercy and kindness. May the Lord be
good to you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26 (CEV)
I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! Ephesians 1:2 (CEV)
Thanksgiving in Jesus Christ
Thanksgiving is not just about being thankful. Thanksgiving is about being thankful to God in Jesus Christ. This holiday ask yourself, “Am I really thankful to God, or just thankful?”
Of all the things God has provided, the greatest is His gift of salvation—total forgiveness of sins (past, present, and future) and eternal life. But like any gift, you have to accept it or it’s not yours—believe that it’s for you. The Bible says: “You will be saved, if you honestly say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and if you believe with all your heart that God raised Him from death.”
Romans 10:9 (CEV)
If you want to accept God’s free gift of salvation and be certain about your eternity, then pray this simple prayer:
Father God, I know I am separated from You because of my sin. I ask for Your forgiveness. Thank You for sending Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and rise from the dead to completely take away my sins. I trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for Your free gift of salvation and eternal life. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen!