A prayer of gratitude can be a list. Name three specific things and say thank You. That's the whole form, and the more specific you are, the more you'll mean it: the morning light in the kitchen, a friend who called, the fact that the car started. Here are a few to begin with, including one for the Thanksgiving table.
An everyday prayer of thanks
Lord, thank You for this morning, for coffee and light and the people I get to love. Before I ask You for anything, I just want to say thank You. Amen.
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 107:1 (KJV)
A Thanksgiving prayer for the table
Father, thank You for this food and the hands that made it. Thank You for everyone at this table, and for the ones we miss today. Make us generous with what we've been given. Amen.
If you're asked to say grace and dread it, this one takes about fifteen seconds.
For the people in your life
God, thank You for (name). I don't say it enough. Bless them today, and help me to tell them. Amen.
Then tell them. A thank-you that reaches the person is worth more than one that stays in your head.
When thanks doesn't come easily
Lord, this is a hard season and I'm not feeling grateful. I'll start small. Thank You that I'm still breathing and still talking to You. Amen.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
The verse says in every thing, which is different from for every thing. You aren't being asked to thank God for your pain.
At the end of the day
Father, today held more than I noticed. Thank You for the parts I remember, and the ones I've already forgotten. Amen.
Make it a practice
Praying thanks is one half. The other half is putting it into practice, and our page on how to practice gratitude has some small ways to do that. For the end of the day, try these bedtime prayers.
A small thank-you to save, or to send to someone you're thankful for. Fig Devotional is a daily devotional for iPhone: a verse, a prayer and one small action, ending in a card like this one. Its guides are illustrated characters and its reflections are written with AI.
Common questions
What is a short prayer of thanks?
Try this: Lord, thank You for today, for the breath in my lungs and the people I love. Help me to notice what You've given me. Amen.
What is a good Thanksgiving prayer for a family meal?
Try this: Father, thank You for this food, for the hands that made it, and for everyone at this table. We remember those who aren't with us and those who have less. Bless this time together. Amen.
How do I give thanks when life is hard?
Start small and be honest. You aren't asked to be thankful for the hard thing. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says in every thing give thanks, and you can look for one small good thing in the middle of it.
What does the Bible say about gratitude?
Psalm 100 calls people to enter God's presence with thanksgiving, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls for thanks in every circumstance, and Luke 17 tells of the one healed man who came back to say thank you.