A Beginner’s Guide to Prayers of Thanksgiving in the Bible
I used to think that prayers of thanksgiving were just counting your blessings. Listing all the good things God has given you. But I was very wrong. The examples of prayers in the Bible show that thanksgiving is a cornerstone of prayer and so much more than counting blessings.
Prayers of thanksgiving appear throughout the Bible, offering examples of how believers have expressed gratitude. They show Christians that prayers of thanksgiving are not for the blessings one get’s but God’s character at work in their lives.
Let’s wonder about prayers of thanksgiving in the Bible together and see how we can incorporate them into our daily walk with God.
What are Prayers of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a type of prayer that expresses gratitude to God. Thanksgiving acknowledges God’s inherent goodness and the blessings He has shown us in life.
Key elements of thanksgiving include,
- Gratitude: The central theme of thanksgiving prayers is a genuine and heartfelt expression of gratitude. Individuals express appreciation for the blessings, both big and small, that they have received.
- Specific Acknowledgments: Thankful prayers often include specific acknowledgments of the particular gifts, experiences, or aspects of life for which we are grateful.
- Joy and Celebration: Prayers of thanksgiving are characterized by a sense of joy and celebration. We rejoice in the goodness of God and the positive aspects of our lives.
- Reflection on Blessings: Thanksgiving prayers may involve reflecting on the blessings received over a certain period, fostering a sense of mindfulness and awareness of God’s presence in daily life.
- Acknowledgment of Others: Some thanksgiving prayers include expressions of gratitude for the people in one’s life, acknowledging the role of others in bringing joy, support, and love.
Simply put, we are to count our blessings and turn every blessing into a prayer of thanksgiving.
Overall, thanksgiving is a type of prayer that thanks God for what He’s done for us. The greatest thing He did for us, being, sending Jesus to save us from our sins.
Prayers of Thanksgiving in the Bible
The Bible provides numerous examples of prayers of thanksgiving. These examples show how believers throughout history express their gratitude. The following are taken from All the Prayers in the Bible from Jimmy Parks, plus some additional Psalms of thanksgiving.
| Scripture | Title | Thankful For… |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chronicles 17:16-27 | David Gives Thanks to God | God’s Promises |
| 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 | David Praises God | God’s Greatness, Provision, and the opportunity to give. |
| 2 Chronicles 5:13 | The Levites Offer Thanksgiving | God’s goodness and love. |
| 2 Chronicles 6:14-42 | Solomon Prays to Dedicate the Temple | God’s Faithfulness to His Promises. |
| 2 Chronicles 7:3 | The Israelites offer Thanksgiving | God’s goodness and presence revealed in the temple. |
| 2 Chronicles 20:6-12 | Jehoshaphat Prays for God’s Help | God’s sovereignty and past deliverance. |
| 2 Chronicles 20:21 | Soldiers Praise and Give Thanks to God | God’s love and expected victory. |
| Ezra 9:6-15 | Ezra Offers Solitary Prayer for Thanksgiving, Petition, and Intercession | God’s mercy despite people’s unfaithfulness. |
| Nehemiah 1:5-11 | Nehemiah Offers Solitary Prayer for Thanksgiving and Intercession | God’s covenantal love and mercy. |
| Psalm 15:1-5 | The Psalmist offers a Prayer of Thanksgiving | God’s justice and righteousness. |
| Psalm 23 | The Psalmist Prays to the Good Shepherd | God’s Provision, protection, and guidance. |
| Psalm 25:1-22 | The Psalmist Prays for Guidance | God’s truth, mercy, and salvation. |
| Psalm 26:1-12 | The Psalmist Prays for Justice | God’s love and fairness. |
| Psalm 30 | Thanksgiving For Answered Prayer | God’s deliverance and healing. |
| Psalm 32 | Thanksgiving for Forgiveness of Sins | God’s forgiveness and the joy of restoration. |
| Psalm 34 | Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance | God’s protection. |
| Psalm 40 | God’s Faithfulness and Deliverance | God’s help and steadfastness. |
| Psalm 75 | Thanksgiving for God’s future help | God’s justice and care for His people. |
| Psalm 86:1-17 | The Psalmist Prays for Help against Enemies | God’s mercy and greatness in answering prayer. |
| Psalm 107 | Thanksgiving to God for His Deliverance | God’s deliverance from distress and unfailing love. |
| Psalm 116 | Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance | God’s rescue from death and His faithfulness. |
| Psalm 118 | Praise God for His Loyal Love | God’s love and salvation. |
| Psalm 138:1-8 | The Psalmist Offers Thanksgiving and Praise | God’s love and answering of prayer. |
| Psalm 143:1-12 | The Psalmist Prays for Rescue from Enemies | God’s faithfulness in rescuing HIs servant. |
| Jonah 2:2-9 | Jonah Prays to the Lord from the Fish | God’s deliverance and salvation. |
| Habakkuk 1:12-17 | Habakkuk Questions the Lord | God’s eternal nature and covenantal promises. |
| Habakkuk 3:2-19 | Habakkuk Praises the Lord | God’s sovereignty and assurance of victory. |
| Matthew 11:25-26 | Jesus Praises God for His Easy Yoke | God’s revelation to the humble and His wisdom. |
| Luke 1:46-55 | The Magnificat | God’s blessing and fulfillment of His promises. |
| Luke 10:21-22 | Jesus Praises God for Revealing Hidden Things | God’s revelation of truth to the childlike. |
| Luke 18:11-12 | The Proud Pharisees Prayer | Contrast: an example of self-righteous gratitude |
| John 11:41-42 | Jesus Confirms Raising Lazarus | God’s power and faithfulness. |
| Revelation 11:17-18 | The 24 Elders Praise God | God’s reign and just reward for His servants. |
Prayers of thanksgiving are not for the blessings we get but for God’s character revealed in our lives.
These examples highlight one key thing: prayers of thanksgiving are not explicitly for the blessings we get, but for God’s character and nature revealed in our lives. In this, they are similar to prayers of praise and petition. In short, prayer, no matter which type of prayer we pray, is rooted in God’s character at work in and through our lives.
How to Incorporate Thanksgiving Prayers into Daily Life
Just as we are to pray without ceasing, we are to be thankful without ceasing. The Bible reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). So, gratitude is supposed to be a part of our everyday spiritual walk.
Here are some practical ways to cultivate a thankful prayer life:
- Begin Each Prayer in Gratitude: We’ve already seen how closely thanksgiving and praise are connected. Starting our prayers with gratitude before making requests is a great reminder of God’s provision and grace.
- Use and Reflect on Scripture: The Bible is a great place to turn for inspiration for prayers of thanksgiving. You can reflect and meditate on specific verses or chapters. The Psalms is a great place to start. You can learn how to use the Psalms in your prayer life by checking out this article. It goes through why and how you can pray the Psalms back to God.
- Keep a Gratitude Journal: Writing down answered prayers and counting our blessings is a great reminder of God’s faithfulness and character. Just look back at the list above. See how it helps us see the bigger picture of God’s character in prayers of thanksgiving. Your prayers can have the same effect.
- Use Worship as Thanksgiving: Because thanksgiving and praise are so closely connected, worship is a great way to give thanks to God. Worship, like thanksgiving, provides opportunity to reflect and meditate on God’s goodness.
The Transformative Power of Thanksgiving Prayers
Practicing prayers of thanksgiving has profound spiritual and emotional benefits. For instance, prayers of thanksgiving can
- Strengthen Faith
- Renew Joy and Contentment, and
- Provide a stronger testimony
There are several studies that support the power of prayer and thanksgiving in general. In this 2007 study by the Barna group, 62% of people pray expressing gratitude and thanksgiving. This is higher than other topics of prayer such as needs, health, specific requests from others, etc.
This study from Springtide Research Institute show that 74% of young people ages 13-25 who pray daily report they are flourishing and have better mental health.
Prayers of thanksgiving have the ultimate benefit of reminding us of God’s presence and faithfulness, of reviving our soul, and encouraging others to worship God.
Key Takeaways
Prayers of thanksgiving are central to growing a Christian faith. They offer endless opportunities to meditate on God’s goodness, faithfulness, and blessing in our lives and circumstances.
Examples from Biblical people like David, Solomon, Habakkuk, and Jesus show us that prayers of thanksgiving are more than just a way to honor God, they transform our lives bringing peace, joy, and faith.
As you reflect on God’s goodness you’ll find endless reasons to give thanks to God, not only for what He’s done but also for who He is. His word will literally fill your life with wonder and gratitude.
