Giving Thanks to God for Everything: Short Prayers of Gratitude
One of the sweetest and most unexpected gifts of a camping vacation is returning home. Everyday conveniences that were once taken for granted become reminders of the importance of giving thanks to God for everything.
Giving Thanks to God for Everything
First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to give thanks in all situations.
When the monotony of daily life drones on, we can become numb to the blessings surrounding us.
After two weeks away from home, spent mostly in a tent, the comforts of home have been surprisingly amazing:
Hot, running water with the turn of a knob.
A full four-burner stove, including an actual oven!
The ease of an electric coffee maker.
Reclining couches instead of camp chairs.
The comfort of actual beds.
Middle-of-the-night illumination with the flip of a switch (and no need to watch for bears when arising to use the bathroom).
A hot shower instead of a cold mountain stream.
Air conditioning on a scorching August afternoon.
A flushing toilet instead of a hole in the ground.
It all feels quite luxurious. These blessings also remind me that God wants us to give thanks in everything, always.
As we step back to reflect on our lives today, we don’t have to be returning from living in the forest to find reasons to give thanks.
Here are some short prayers of gratitude as we aim to live lives of giving thanks to God for everything.
Short Prayers for Giving Thanks to God for Everything
A Prayer for the New Day
God, thank you for this new day, for the opportunity to join you in what you are doing in the world around me. Your blessings surround me. I am grateful for my home, the people who love me, and the work you have set before me today. Thank you for your promise to go with me into this day.
“For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 52:12, ESV
A Prayer to Thank God for His Presence
Father, thank you that nothing can ever take your presence from me. I can walk into any situation with peace and confidence because you go with me. I rest in the promise of your presence as I step into every situation I face today.
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?”
Psalm 139:7
A Prayer to Thank God for Being Trustworthy
Heavenly Father, thank you for being trustworthy at all times. Even when I don’t understand your ways, you are working all things for my good. I cling to this promise and thank you that you can take any situation and turn it around for good, and your idea of “good” is that the troubles of life will shape me to look more like Jesus. I trust you as I step into today’s challenges.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
A Prayer for Mealtime
Dear God, thank you for the provision of daily food for my body. I confess that it’s easy to take this for granted. Thank you for the hands that worked to prepare this food. I pray blessing over them. Thank you for nourishing my body with food and nourishing my soul with your Word each day.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33
A Prayer for the Workday
Lord, thank you for the work that fills my days. I confess that, at times, I complain or don’t eagerly step into this work. Thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for placing me here. Thank you for the financial provision I earn from it. I pray you will help me see those surrounding me as you see them as I carry your love to them.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3
More Prayers to Help You With Giving Thanks to God for Everything
A Prayer of Gratitude for Relationships
Dear Lord, thank you for the relationships in my life. I recognize that these relationships aren’t perfect. Nevertheless, you have placed them in my life for a purpose. Please help me to embrace each of these relationships and see them through your eyes, building others up and investing in them as I aim to point them to you.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17
A Prayer to Refocus on God in the Middle of the Day
God, I pause the activity of this day to take a deep breath and look to you. Thank you for being with me even when I wasn’t aware of your presence today. Help me to be more attuned to you. Thank you for guiding me through each moment and each part of the day.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2
A Prayer to Thank God for His Wisdom
Dear Lord, thank you that when we turn to you for wisdom, you provide it. Help us trust that your wisdom follows us through our days and guides our decisions. Thank you for your discernment, and thank you that when we call to you, you answer us with deep and unsearchable things we did not know.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5
A Prayer for Our Families
Father, we thank you for our families. Even though these relationships are imperfect and sometimes challenging, we are grateful for those who surround us within our families. Help us focus on the ways they bless us rather than the ways they irritate us. Teach us to outdo one another in showing kindness, care, and honor.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Romans 12:10
A Prayer for the End of the Day
Father God, thank you for being with me throughout every moment of this day. I am grateful for your care and provision even in the moments I didn’t recognize your hand at work. I turn to you as this day ends. Please watch over me as I sleep and bless me with sound rest, guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Giving thanks to God for everything changes the way we experience life. Read here for 10 prayers of gratitude. #gratitude Share on X
If these prayers blessed you, I invite you to explore our library of family devotionals and free devotionals below. Be blessed as you cultivate a life of gratitude!
Calling All Parents (and Grandparents)!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
These Books Are Free on Kindle Unlimited: God Wants to Heal, Restore, and Refresh You
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life. Click here to explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace. They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.
Download Your Free Devotional Here
Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring deliverance. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE or for a donation of 3.99 right here.
I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
