Thanksgiving Prayers and Bible Verses for Your Family Table

A short Thanksgiving prayer before dinner

"Lord, thank you for this food, for the hands that made it, and for the people around this table. Thank you for carrying us through this year. Help us remember those who are hungry or alone today, and make us generous. Amen."

A Thanksgiving prayer for kids

"Thank you, God, for our food, our family, and our friends. Thank you for loving us every day. Amen." Let a child lead it — it's short enough to memorize.

A blessing for mixed company

If guests come from different backgrounds, keep it warm and simple: "We're grateful for this meal and for each person here. May we carry this gratitude into the year ahead." Then invite anyone who wishes to add a word of thanks.

Bible verses about thankfulness

• Psalm 107:1 — "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
• Psalm 100:4 — "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise."
• Colossians 3:15 — "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... And be thankful."
• Philippians 4:6 — "In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
• James 1:17 — "Every good and perfect gift is from above."

Ways to make gratitude part of the meal

• Go around the table: one thing you're thankful for this year.
• Write thanks on slips of paper and read them over dessert.
• Print one verse on each place card.
• Start a gratitude journal on Thanksgiving and keep it through Advent.