20 Scriptures to Reflect on for the Thanksgiving Holiday
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- Updated Nov 18, 2022
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and many of us are seeking out ways to be more thankful in our daily lives. Reflecting on Scripture is a great way to cultivate thankfulness in your life. Here are 20 scriptures to reflect on for the Thanksgiving holiday.
To help you in thanking God, we created a 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE. Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises.
1. Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
This passage of the New Testament reminds us to do everything with thanksgiving and to submit our prayers before the Lord with a heart of thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:6-7 has been an instrumental part of my own walk with God and cultivating a heart of thanksgiving in my life. As someone who struggles with depression, cultivating a heart of thankfulness can be difficult.
By reflecting on this passage, it has helped me better develop thankfulness, not only during the Thanksgiving holiday but also throughout every day of the year.
It reminds us to come before the Lord with thanksgiving and praise. During this Thanksgiving holiday, try to reflect on this passage and see how it helps your walk with the Lord.
2. Psalm 69:29-30
But as for me, afflicted and in pain — may your salvation, God, protect me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
As this psalm tells us, we can glorify God with thanksgiving even in the midst of our affliction and pain.
When the psalmist wrote this psalm, he was in much affliction and pain, yet he still chose to give thanks to God. No matter what we are going through, we can trust God and offer Him up our voices to praise Him.
Maybe you don’t think you are the best singer, but God thinks you are a wonderful singer. God loves when His children sing praises to His Name.
It makes God overjoyed when He hears His children giving praise to His Name. After reflecting on this psalm during this holiday season, try to sing a song of praise to God.
You can sing a worship song for Him, you could sing a psalm of the Bible, or you could make up your own song for the Lord. It doesn’t matter what you choose as long as you come before the Lord with a heart of thankfulness.
3. Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
This passage from the New Testament is a vital Scripture piece to reflect on during Thanksgiving. The writer of Hebrews reminds us to give thanks, praise, and glory to God because He is completely worthy of our worship.
This passage of Scripture also reminds us that we can give thanks to God because we are looking forward to a “kingdom that cannot be shaken.”
This unshakable kingdom that the writer of Hebrews speaks about in Hebrews 12:28-29 refers to the New Heaven and New Earth that God will establish in the future (Revelation 21). We can praise God for this future kingdom because He promises us that it will come.
Even though it may be difficult at times to thank God, we can thank Him for salvation and the future eternal kingdom. There are so many things to be thankful for because God has blessed us in so many ways.
4. Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
In this passage of Scripture, the psalmist gives us the reminder to give thanks and praise to God. During this Thanksgiving holiday, try to be intentional about coming before the Lord in praise.
Give Him thanks for all the blessings in your life, whether big or small. All blessings are from the Lord, and we should give Him thanks for each one of them.
We can praise and give thanks to God in a myriad of different ways. In addition to giving thanks to God with our words, we can also give Him thanks in our actions. Showing God thankfulness in our actions can look like following God faithfully and obeying His teachings.
Obeying God is one of the best ways to show Him that we love Him, respect Him, and are thankful for Him. Psalm 100:4 encourages us to give thanks to God and to shout praises of gratitude to His Name.
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Paul was a man who underwent great trials, persecutions, and imprisonments because of his faith. Even though he had every reason to complain about being persecuted to the point of death, he urges us in this passage to “give thanks in all circumstances.”
In the same way, we can learn to give thanks in all circumstances because we know the Lord is with us.
Giving thanks in all circumstances can be difficult at times, yet the more we practice giving thanks despite the situation, the better we will cultivate a heart of thankfulness and gratitude.
Whenever you are struggling for a small glimmer of hope, turn to Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
This verse can help us reflect on being thankful despite what we are presently going through. This is an encouragement from Paul, but it is also a challenge from him — for us to give thanks in all circumstances.
6. Isaiah 51:3
The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Isaiah tells us in this passage that God will once again comfort Zion, and joy will return to its borders. Because of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness, the people of Israel could offer up praises of thanksgiving and sing songs of gratitude to the Lord.
During this Thanksgiving holiday, we should reflect on this passage of Isaiah because it reminds us of God’s faithfulness.
7. Ephesians 5:19-20
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is another moving Bible verse from Paul. As stated, Paul went through many difficulties in his life, yet he still gave thanks to God for everything.
He knew that the difficulties and hard times were not because of God. Bad things happen in our lives, but God doesn’t cause these problems; however, He can work these things out for our good (Romans 8:28).
Paul reminds us often throughout his writings of the importance of always giving thanks. Even if a situation feels dreary or without hope, we can be thankful that God remains with us.
Throughout this Thanksgiving season, try to reflect on Paul’s teachings in the New Testament as well as focus on cultivating a heart of thankfulness.
God knows we won’t be perfect, but what matters is that we keep actively trying to follow Jesus in every area of our lives, including having a thankful heart.
8. Revelation 7:11-12
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
This passage of Scripture describes a future event in eschatology.
During this time, God’s creation will worship God and give Him thanks. Revelation 7:11-12 particularly describes angels, elders, and the four living creatures giving thanks to Him.
These are magnificent creations of God, and they are more powerful than we are, and yet they are still giving thanks and praising God.
Just as the angels, elders, and the four living creatures give thanks to God, we need to do the same. God is completely worthy of our praise, and this is a vital truth that we need to reflect upon throughout the Thanksgiving holiday.
9. Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Similar to many writings in the Book of Psalms, Psalm 107:1 urges us to give thanks to the Lord. If we look around us, there are so many reasons to be thankful.
We can often be distracted by all the things that we don’t have to the point that we forget what we do have. By reflecting on Psalm 107:1 during the Thanksgiving holiday, it can help lead our hearts and minds back to giving thanks to our Savior.
10. Lamentations 3:22–24
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah during a dark time in Israel’s history. Even through this dark time, Jeremiah reminded Himself of God’s faithfulness and gave thanks to His Holy Name.
Jeremiah lived through a truly calamitous time, yet his eyes were always set upon God. He may have become depressed and crestfallen at times; however, he knew his hope was found in God alone.
Since he knew God could be trusted, he gave thanks to Him by praising Him for His love and faithfulness. During the Thanksgiving holiday, allow Jeremiah’s words to remind you of God’s ever-present love and faithfulness.
11. 2 Corinthians 2:15–16
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
Once again, Paul is giving thanks in the passage to God for His faithfulness and goodness.
Paul praises God because He has allowed him to carry the gospel to the lost as well as he praises God for always being there for him. In the same way, God will always be with us.
Whether we are taking the gospel to the lost or teaching others about Him, He will also always be by our side. Paul attests to the truth that God is always worthy and deserving of our thanks.
12. Luke 17:15–19
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
There were 10 lepers who were cleaned by the Lord, yet only the Samaritan returned to give praise to Christ. This Bible account from Luke 17:15-19 reminds us to reflect on the importance of giving praise to the Lord.
It can be easy to be like the other nine lepers, who left and did not return after being declared clean by the priest, yet God wants us to be like the one leper who did return and gave thanks to the Lord.
This is worthwhile teaching that we must practice in our own daily lives, not just during the holidays but throughout the year.
13. Psalm 95:1-2
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
This is another psalm of thanksgiving as it reminds us to give thanks before the Lord with music and song. The Lord loves to hear us praise Him and give Him thanks.
Similar to the teachings of the psalmist, we can extol God with music and song. Throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, challenge yourself to come before the Lord with thanksgiving and praise Him with your voice.
14. Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1 is another great reminder to give thanks to the Lord. This is a perfect Bible passage to memorize the week of Thanksgiving, as it can help you focus on what truly matters — God.
We can often get so caught up in the busyness of the holiday season that we can forget to give thanks to God. By memorizing Psalm 118:1, it can help draw our focus back to God and reflect on His love.
15. James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
This passage from James helps to bring our attention to the truth that every good gift that we receive is from God Himself. Good things only come from our Father — He never sends bad things to His children.
With these good gifts that God has given us, we need to give Him thanks and recall His past faithfulness.
While the gifts James talks about are not things such as birthday presents, James is referring to the good gifts, such as salvation, eternal life, and our loved ones, which are all given to us by God.
16. Philippians 4:12–13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 is a great passage to reflect on for the Thanksgiving holiday because it reminds us that all we need is Christ. As Paul says, he has learned the secret of being content in every situation.
The secret Paul is referring to is Christ Himself. In the same way, we can give thanks to God because He is everything we need to live, receive salvation, and have eternal life.
17. Colossians 3:15–17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Paul urges us to give thanks to God through all circumstances and in every struggle. This passage of Scripture encourages us by reminding us that we can give thanks to God in everything we do. We can sing psalms and hymns in our hearts to give praise to the Lord.
As believers, we need to make it a daily practice to continue to give thanks to God, just as Paul tells us in Colossians 3:15-17. The more we focus on giving thanks to God, the easier it will become to start being thankful to God in everything we put our minds to.
18. Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 is a short passage of Scripture that could be a great memorization verse for the week of Thanksgiving. By keeping this Bible verse in our hearts and minds, it can help us to be reminded to praise the Lord.
The psalmist urges everything in all of creation to give praise to God, which includes us. This Thanksgiving holiday, try to memorize Psalm 150:6 and reflect on it often.
19. Jeremiah 20:13
Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
Jeremiah 20:13 is another passage written by the prophet Jeremiah, urging us to give praise to God. Jeremiah was highlighting the truth that God saves the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. He knew he could trust God to redeem him from the hands of his enemies.
Since Jeremiah was confident in the Lord, he offered up praise and thanks to God. In the same way, we, too, can offer up praises and works of thanks to our great God.
20. 2 Corinthians 4:15
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
In this final Bible passage, Paul is urging us throughout 2 Corinthians 4 to share the gospel, and through this, it will cause thanksgiving to overflow to God.
As we can see from Paul’s words, each time we share the gospel, we are helping thanksgiving to grow in the lives of others. This is a beautiful truth that we must reflect on during this Thanksgiving holiday.
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