Uplifting Prayers of Gratitude in the Bible

The Bible is without a doubt my absolute favorite book. It holds the key to so many of life’s questions and a roadmap for journeying through this passage of time before meeting our Savior face to face. But most importantly, it shows us who our Heavenly Father is and His great love for us. Prayers of Gratitude in the bible pop off the page when you start reading through the book of Psalms. I kind of came across these by accident.

You’ve heard it said before that gratitude is a choice and how important it is to foster an ‘attitude of gratitude’. Just yesterday, I was majorly let down when I found out that a long-term project I had been working on abruptly lost a lot of progress. I had every right to wallow in my letdown – and trust me, I started to do so!

But not too much later this verse popped into my mind, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NLT It made me pause because losing the work I had put so much time and effort into was still part of the Lord’s day that He personally and intricately crafted with each of us in mind!

It struck me, those simple yet powerful words were a prayer of gratitude right there for the taking and the choice was mine of whether or not I would use them. We always have much to be thankful for and the bible offers up prayers we can give back to God in thankfulness and appreciation regardless of our circumstances.

Prayers of Gratitude in the Bible

Some of the best prayers of gratitude in the bible are found in the book of Psalms. Below are just a few that all have a common theme among them: I will.

I love that these prayers express the choice and decision to give thanks and express praise to God. Below each verse is a prayer of gratitude using scripture from Psalms that you can use as a prompt if needed. Use the following short prayers of gratitude as a guide or to prompt you on your own.

Short Prayer of Gratitude

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

Short Prayer of Gratitude: Heavenly Father, I’m deciding right now to give you thanks with all my heart. You have blessed me today with air in my lungs and surrounded me with your presence. Lord, I want to declare today the wonderful things you have done! Help me to see your hand of blessing upon my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

Prayer of Gratitude: Lord, I give you thanks for covering me with your perfect righteousness. I wear garments of splendor because of YOU. Lord, I will sing and praise your name for this life-changing blessing. Help me to remember that your son Jesus makes me right with you and I am forever grateful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. Psalm 35:18

Short Prayer of Gratitude: Dear God, I am so thankful for you and will give praise and honor to you! You give me peace, guidance, unending love, and fill my life with blessings. You give me YOU. Lord, I praise you and am filled with gratitude. Let all that I am praise your name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Prayer of Gratitude: Heavenly Father, I trust you in spite of my circumstances and trust that you desire good for me. I will praise your name and celebrate you in this moment with thanksgiving and praise. Lord, help me to rest in your arms. Thank you for protecting me and always being there for me. I can never praise you enough. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

How do you express your gratitude to God?

Prayers of gratitude are one way we can humble ourselves and express our awe, praise, and adoration for God and His blessings upon life. Pausing to acknowledge God through prayer, words, writing, dancing, shouts of joy, or singing are just a few ways to give thanks to God.

He is worthy of all praise!

As each of the verses above showed us, the author chose to give thanks. There are plenty of moments and days where we may not feel like expressing gratitude to God but we can still choose to do so in spite of our feelings. 

As we begin to cultivate gratitude, we quickly realize the benefits of gratitude are worthwhile! Gratitude for the Lord is cultivated as we grow to know Him more and more!

Related: Goodness of God Scriptures and Quotes

Benefits of Gratitude in the Bible

When I spoke of my letdown from yesterday and later realized my prayer of gratitude just by simply expressing, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” everything changed at that moment and I experienced one of God’s great benefits of gratitude.

Peace washed over me and joy filled me when I was reminded that my day (and the project) were in the Lord’s hands. What better place to be? My faithful God would carry me, restore what was lost, or lead me in a completely new direction but whatever took place, I was secure! What comfort!

Here are a few more benefits received when we turn to God with short prayers of gratitude.

• Peace (Philippians 4:6-7)
• Brings awareness of God’s gifts and presence (James 1:16-17)
• Changes our mind’s focus on God (Philippians 4:8)
• Encouragement & Joy (Psalm 126:1-3)
• Strengthens us (Isaiah 40:29)

Related: 30-Day Gratitude Challenge

What is a prayer of gratitude?

A prayer of gratitude is taking a moment to recognize God and giving Him praise for who He is, what He’s done, what He’s doing, and what He will do. I think this verse from Colossians 4:2 is an excellent guide: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

Each day we get to choose whether or not we will devote ourselves to prayer and be watchful and thankful for what the Lord has placed in our lives. I’m convinced we miss many opportunities to turn to God throughout our day with gratitude and thanksgiving. It takes devotion and intention to look for His great hand.

A short prayer of gratitude can be as simple as, “Thank you, Lord!” after noticing a “God-wink” or gift from the Lord in your day. It’s much more than acknowledging His gifts though. It’s expressing gratitude for Him!

It is true, the more we cultivate gratitude through prayer, the more we bring glory to God!

Related: Beautiful Free Gratitude Journal

Morning Prayer of Gratitude

Maybe you’re looking for a morning prayer of gratitude to start your day. It’s so easy to rush into our day without pausing to give thanks to God for the day!

I love this verse in Psalm 113:3 which can easily be turned into a morning prayer of gratitude from the bible, acknowledging God’s power over creation and praising His name!

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:3

Morning Prayer of Gratitude to Pray:

Heavenly Father, your faithfulness shines through the sun every single day. As the sun rises today, I am reminded of your goodness and care for all things. I praise you, Lord! With a grateful heart, may I see your fingerprints all over my day. Prompt me to see you in the details. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible verses about thankfulness to God

The following bible verses are great reminders of being thankful for blessings and even about being thankful for the little things. The fact is, the Lord is GOOD. Our daily prayers of gratitude go to a Good God.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

Related: Celebrating God with Thankfulness

Prayers of Gratitude in the Bible

God’s word provides us with numerous prayers of gratitude in the bible that we can pray and make our own. Devoting ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful will help turn our hearts to gratitude and turn our days around to see God’s goodness upon life.

What bible verse prompts your heart to gratitude?