Bible Verses to Ground Your Day in Gratitude
“Every day I wake up with a very thankful heart. I fold my hands and say a prayer, the perfect way to start!”
It’s the opening line of a book I have been reading to my son in this season of life. And it has me thinking: Do I wake up “with a very thankful heart?” Or is this another one of those times as a parent where the books we hope to influence our children do not seem to pierce our callous heart? I’ll admit, this is a bit melodramatic. One of my family values is “gratitude.” I am passionate about the power of gratitude from both a biblical and psychological perspective. At my best gratitude is even part of my daily liturgy and routine. However, that’s not every day. So here I am, back to reading that line with my son and I feel a sense of resolve to create a resource for myself to come back to.
Some days I know I need an extra dose of gratitude at the beginning of my day, like an extra shot of espresso in a latte.
The list of Bible verses below is a compilation meant to be read and prayed through as you seek to ground your day in gratitude. I hope this is useful to you, especially as we walk into this Thanksgiving week!
Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, CSB)
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving.
Let us sing psalms of praise to him. (Psalm 95:1-2, NLT)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(Philippians 4:6, NIV)
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2, NIV)
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
I praise (“give thanks to”) your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
by all the honor of your name. (Psalm 138:2, NLT)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1, NLT)
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 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. (Colossians 3:15-17, NIV)
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1-2, CSB)
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18b-20, NIV)
10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
“Praise be to you, Lord,
the God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13, NIV)
its a undescribable