12 Scriptures for Thanksgiving to Inspire a Heart of Gratitude

I often thank God for blessings – the good gifts of family, friendship, food, and the things that beautifully furnish my life.  There’s nothing wrong with this.  God tells us to be thankful, which includes a grateful expression of the gifts he’s graciously given.

But I believe there’s more to an Attitude of Gratitude.

Yes, I’m thankful for the blessings, but when I read the Bible, God’s word to mankind, I expand my vocabulary of thanks.  I open to the middle of the book, and the Psalms sing his praise.  

The scriptures raise my gaze to the Giver, not solely the gifts.

This is good news if you ever struggle to count your blessings.

Or if you ever just don’t feel like being thankful.

Or if your prayer life sounds like a recorded message, repeating the same things over and over (which is ok too – but sometimes new dialogue renews our prayer life).

Or if you’re straining to see the silver lining, but your vision is clouded with disappointment, fear, or uncertainty.

When I read a moving line of a written piece, I often restate it with a compliment to the writer.  I want the author to know their carefully crafted phrase spoke to me.  As a writer, this type of compliment is deeply meaningful because you know your words are affecting the reader positively. 

I believe God must feel this too, as the author of life, the author of the Bible, and the author of our faith.  Friend, God gives us his word to connect us to him.  When we offer his words back to him in praise, he is pleased.

I’ve gathered twelve scriptures to inspire our hearts to fill with gratitude for God.  These verses focus on God, not only what he’s done, but who he is.  I pray the words wash over your spirit and refresh you with thankfulness that you are seen, loved, and known by our great God.  He is worthy of our thankful praise.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:1 NIV

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians. 5:18 NIV

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 

Psalm 5:11 NIV

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. 

Psalm 13:5-6 NIV

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 28:7 NIV

He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.

Psalm 50:23 NIV

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.  I will praise you in the presence of your saints. 

Psalm 52:9 NIV

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 57:10 NIV

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.  Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Amen and Amen.

Psalm 72:18-19

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1 NIV

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 

Psalm 118:28 NIV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 

Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV

The free printable of 12 scripture cards is in my Freebies Library.  Sign up below to gain access to your cards + other lovely goodies.  

How will you use your scripture cards?  I envision them at each place setting on the Thanksgiving table!  And if you need a Thanksgiving Playlist, I’ve got that for you right here.

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