Uplifting prayers for Thanksgiving: A day of gratitude for family, friends & food

“Lord, I thank you that there are an infinite number of things to thank you for, if I reflect for even a moment! Now help me to take that time and to give you thanks for your many gifts I take for granted. Then let thankfulness begin to transform all my attitudes, toward you, myself, others, and life. Amen.” —Tim and Kathy Keller (from “The Songs of Jesus”)

“Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen.” —Gelasian Sacramentary

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for the abundant blessings You have bestowed upon us. As we gather around this table, we invite Your presence among us. Bless this food, the hands that prepared it, and the hearts that share it. May our gratitude extend beyond this day, reflecting Your love and generosity in our lives. Amen.” —Anonymous

“Lord God, Our hearts are crowded with gratitude as we celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving. We have come to this our feasting table with great joy and eagerness, for we are truly grateful to you, our God, for all that we have been given. We pause now and, in silent prayer, do thank you for the great generosity of Your gifts.” —Edward Hays

“Father, We have gathered to share a meal in Your honor. Thank You for putting us together as family, and thank You for this food. Bless it to our bodies, Lord. We thank you for all of the gifts you’ve given to those around this table. Help each member of our family use these gifts to your glory. Guide our mealtime conversations and steer our hearts to Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” —Anonymous

“O, heavenly Father: We thank thee for food and remember the hungry. We thank thee for health and remember the sick. We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless. We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service, that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.” —Abigail van Buren

“Gracious God, thank you for the gift of family and the companionship of friends. Your love is mirrored in the bonds I share with them. Bless our relationships, enriching them with Your love and wisdom. Grant us the ability to support one another in times of joy and hardship. May we always cherish and nurture the connections that bring us closer to You. Amen.” —Anonymous

“Thank You, Lord God, for this food we are about to eat. Thank You for the hands that have prepared it, for those sitting around the table who are here to share it, and for the ability to be here together under one roof, and enjoy these blessings at Your hand. We realize that everything we have comes from You and for that we are eternally grateful. We also thank You for what we don’t have this year, for we trust that You have withheld in Your goodness and out of Your protection for us. Thank You that Scripture says You are a Good Father who loves to give gifts to Your children. We sit here as evidence of Your goodness. Thank You for the gift of today and all who are here to share it with us. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.” —Cindi McMenamin

“Father, Praise You for friendship and family! Thank You for bringing us together today to share a meal. The people in our lives bring us such joy, and we are grateful for time spent in fellowship together. Help us use this time to bond closer as a group, and learn to love each other more. Bless our appetites, both physical and spiritual, to honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” —Meg Bucher

“We thank you, Lord, for food and friends, and for all of the joy this holiday lends. It's Thanksgiving Day and we can see the blessings you’ve provided our family. Thanks to you, Lord, for another good year; When you watch over us, there’s nothing to fear.” —Karl Fuchs

“Lord God, we are grateful for the gift of family and friends, gathering here in love and fellowship. Thank You for the joy and peace that we share. We ask that You bless each present and those who could not be with us today. Strengthen our bonds, and fill us with Your peace and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” —Anonymous

“Our Father, we give thanks for the time we have together to appreciate each other. We give thanks for your presence which is shared at our table. We give thanks for your abundant provisions. We pray your guidance toward paths of righteousness and wisdom. May our conversation be joyful, edifying and encouraging. Strengthen us, O God, to share your good news and to serve where you call us. We pray, humbly, in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.” —Madge P. Williams

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” —1 Chronicles 16:34

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” —Psalm 100:1–5

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” —Colossians 3:15-17

“Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?” —Psalm 106:1-2