If you’re a Christian, Thanksgiving isn’t one day of the year; it’s all of them. We’re called to give thanks to God in everything, to pray without ceasing, offering thanks in all circumstances, and we’re even shown how (The Psalms, Ephesians 5:17-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and many others).
When our thanks is for who God is instead of what he’s given, we call that praise, but it’s all gratitude, and it’s all good. We have reason to be thankful every day of the year. But Thanksgiving Day is special. A full day dedicated to gratitude is a gift – one we should not take lightly. Giving thanks is a spiritual discipline, and a day to dedicate ourselves to developing this life-giving habit with people we’re close to is a luxury and a gift.
Here are 10 things you can do to make the most of it:
- Have a feast – Seven festivals were built into the Jewish calendar to provide time for rest and celebration of God’s goodness. If only we had so many days to set aside! Let’s make the most of the one we have by making gratitude the main focus. Don’t let gratitude be a side note to your feast and fellowship. Consider opening your meal by declaring that this day is a day for expressing our thankfulness and read a psalm of thanksgiving. (We’ve posted a couple options below.)
- Plan ahead to give thanks – Write some of the ways the psalmists thanked God for who he is (he is good; his love endures forever; he has provided for us; etc.). Feel free to add your own ways of thanking him, too.
- Acknowledge where what you have comes from – Everything you have – your giftings, your connections, your resources, even the power to earn money comes from God. Thank him as the founder and provider of your feast.
- Name what God has done – Think about the past. Name what he has redeemed you from (Psalm 107:2), and list the ways he has shown his love to you and provided for you so far.
- Sing your thankfulness, or at least make some noise – Judging from Psalms, this isn’t optional. Even if your family is more reserved and formal, there is a time and place for everything, and offering God your thanks is a good time to be loud.
- Feel the joy – Take time to recognize how you feel when you’re giving thanks to God or to another person. Are you exhilarated, peaceful, motivated to do something? Tell someone about it, or remember to write down how you felt in the moment.
- Express your gratitude in the presence of people who might not know him (Isaiah 12:4) – Gratitude is contagious, and it can be a way to carry out the command of 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 to be the sweet aroma of life in Christ. If there are people at your table who don’t know Jesus, don’t hold back on expressing your gratitude to him.
- Let gratitude lead to giving – Research shows thanksgiving naturally leads to financial and gift giving. In fact, NCF’s own research found that gratitude was one of the primary reasons people want to give. Think about the things you can do to prolong the joy of thankfulness in your life, so your giving is also filled with more joy. You could even consider making a spontaneous gift through your Giving Fund on Thanksgiving Day.
- Set your calendar for gratitude – Talk about how you will create family rhythms of thankfulness and giving that will last all the way until next Thanksgiving. And watch NCF’s Saturday 7 for more tips on gratitude throughout the year.
- Pray Psalm 100 – Read it at your table together, just like it’s written, and do just what it says, even if it takes a little practice.
Scriptures for meditation
- Psalm 34, 95, 100, 103, 107:2
- Isaiah 12:4
- Ephesians 5:17-20
- Philippians 4:6
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer
Giver of life and breath and everything that exists, we want to be obedient today by expressing our gratitude for who you are and how you provide for us. Thank you for all the ways we can see you at work and for all the work you are doing that we cannot see.
We know your commands are always for our good, and that the same is true of your command that we give you thanks. You know what we need. You are our Creator, and you understand the good that expressing gratitude works in our hearts.
Thank you for your kind intentions toward us and the ways you are always thinking about us. Help those who are struggling to be thankful because their present circumstances are so hard or because they see suffering in the world. Comfort them with your peace.
Thank you that you understand that we are made from dust. Thank you that you promise that our sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise honor you, even when our feelings don’t match our words. And thank you for when they do, and the joy of celebrating your goodness is almost too good to bear.
Although we don’t deserve anything from you, please help us experience more of you as we thank you for who you are and as we remember daily to thank you for all you have so freely given us.
Amen
Read The spiritual practice at the heart of generosity.
