Giving Thanks to God

Giving thanks to God is not an optional thing for the Christian. Thankfulness to God for His love, care for us, and His provision for our salvation permeates both Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, giving thanks to God was often done through the Levitical sacrifice.¹ In several instances, specific people were assigned the task of giving thanks to the Lord.²

Reasons for giving thanks

The scriptures give many reasons why we should be thankful to God. Here is a partial list from the Bible:

Thankfulness should flow naturally from the Christian who realizes the great gift of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for what He did not deserve (all my sin), then freely offered to me the reward (eternal life) that I did not deserve. What an awesome God!

The goal of the Christian is to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. As a model for us, Jesus often gave thanks for food and answered prayer.⁴ 

Give thanks in Everything!

Yes, the Bible does tell us to give thanks in everything.⁵ We often complain to God about all the bad things that have happened to us - things we did not deserve, and definitely did not want. How can we be thankful for everything? First, we have a God who answers prayer, so that we should never be anxious about any situation.⁶ Second, although things may seem to be bad, we are told that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.⁷ Some examples of who God uses "bad" things in our lives can be seen from my personal story below.

My Personal Story of Thanksgiving

God went to a lot of trouble to save me from His righteous wrath. After graduating with a masters degree in 1979, I began my career doing research in the field of immunology. Things went very well and within six years I had published eight articles (five of which I was primary author) in prestigious scientific journals. I was running my own life and ignoring God until I got very sick. The tests revealed I had Crohn’s disease, a serious, incurable inflammatory disease of the intestines. I found myself unable to do things using my own abilities and strength. The medicines were not working and I found myself being bedridden in severe pain for two months. I cried out to God and promised to try to follow Him and do what He wanted me to do (although I had no idea what that was at the time). Within three months all symptoms of Crohn’s disease had disappeared. It was a miracle that demonstrated God's love for me. Three years later, when I heard the message of salvation, I was ready to accept it, because I knew of God's love and power. I am even grateful for the suffering, since, without it, I would have probably never turned to God.

Since that time, I have gone through other trials that, although not pleasant, have made me grow in faith and reliance upon God. My wife has a brain tumor that was diagnosed in September, 1996. Although originally given 3-7 years to live, she is in remission, and the tumor has not grown since that time. The prospect of raising three active boys on my own is not something that I look forward to, but I know that God will give me the strength to do so should that be necessary. The reality of life's fleeting existence has been a constant reminder and caused us to focus on the more important things of life.

Related Links:

See the winner of the "Why I am grateful to God" essay.

References

1. 'If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil. (Leviticus 7:12)
   'With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread. (Leviticus 7:13)
   'Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning. (Leviticus 7:15)
   "And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. (Leviticus 22:29)
   Then Hezekiah answered and said, "Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD." And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all those who were willing brought burnt offerings. (2 Chronicles 29:31)
   And he set up the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it; and he ordered Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. (2 Chronicles 33:16)
   Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good insight in the things of the LORD. So they ate for the appointed seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD God of their fathers. (2 Chronicles 30:22)
   "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High; (Psalms 50:14)
   "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God." (Psalms 50:23)
   Willingly I will sacrifice to Thee; I will give thanks to Thy name, O LORD, for it is good. (Psalms 54:6)
   Thy vows are binding upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to Thee. (Psalms 56:12)
   Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing. (Psalms 107:22)
   To Thee I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the LORD. (Psalms 116:17)
   "They will come in from the cities of Judah and from the environs of Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country, and from the Negev, bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving to the house of the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:26)
   the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, "Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting"; and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,' says the LORD. (Jeremiah 33:11)
   "Offer a thank offering also from that which is leavened, And proclaim freewill offerings, make them known. For so you love to do, you sons of Israel," Declares the Lord GOD. (Amos 4:5)
   But I will sacrifice to Thee With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD." (Jonah 2:9) And he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, even to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:.. Then on that day David first assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to the LORD. (1 Chronicles 16:4, 7)
2. And with them were Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His lovingkindness is everlasting. (1 Chronicles 16:41)
   And they are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening, (1 Chronicles 23:30)
   Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD. (1 Chronicles 25:3)
   And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, "Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." (2 Chronicles 20:21)
   And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites by their divisions, each according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD. (2 Chronicles 31:2)
   and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the leader in beginning the thanksgiving at prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. (Nehemiah 11:17)
   And the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah who was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving, he and his brothers. (Nehemiah 12:8)
   And the heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers opposite them, to praise and give thanks, as prescribed by David the man of God, division corresponding to division. (Nehemiah 12:24)
3. Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. (1 Chronicles 16:8)
   O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
   Then say, "Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to Thy holy name, And glory in Thy praise." (1 Chronicles 16:35)
   "Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:13)
   And they sang, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, saying, "For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever." And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. (Ezra 3:11)
   Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps, and lyres. (Nehemiah 12:27)
   For in the days of David and Asaph, in ancient times, there were leaders of the singers, songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God. (Nehemiah 12:46)
   I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. (Psalms 7:17)
   (For the choir director; on Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.) I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Thy wonders. (Psalms 9:1)
   Therefore I will give thanks to Thee among the nations, O LORD, And I will sing praises to Thy name. (Psalms 18:49)
   That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And declare all Thy wonders. (Psalms 26:7)
   The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. (Psalms 28:7)
   Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. (Psalms 30:4)
   That my soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever. (Psalms 30:12)
   Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. (Psalms 33:2)
   I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a mighty throng. (Psalms 35:18)
   In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Thy name forever. Selah. (Psalms 44:8)
   I will cause Thy name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the peoples will give Thee thanks forever and ever. (Psalms 45:17)
   I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it, And I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones. (Psalms 52:9)
   I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. (Psalms 57:9)
   I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving. (Psalms 69:30)
   (For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.) We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks, For Thy name is near; Men declare Thy wondrous works. (Psalms 75:1)
   So we Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture Will give thanks to Thee forever; To all generations we will tell of Thy praise. (Psalms 79:13)
   I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Thy name forever. (Psalms 86:12)
   (A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day.) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; (Psalms 92:1)
   Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. (Psalms 95:2)
   Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones; And give thanks to His holy name. (Psalms 97:12)
   (A Psalm for Thanksgiving.) Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. (Psalms 100:1)
   Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. (Psalms 100:4)
   Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. (Psalms 105:1)
   Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 106:1)
   Save us, O LORD our God, And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks to Thy holy name, And glory in Thy praise. (Psalms 106:47)
   Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 107:1)
   Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! (Psalms 107:8)
   Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! (Psalms 107:15)
   Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! (Psalms 107:21)
   Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! (Psalms 107:31)
   I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD, among the peoples; And I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. (Psalms 108:3)
   With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him. (Psalms 109:30)
   Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly. (Psalms 111:1)
   Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 118:1)
   Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD. (Psalms 118:19)
   I shall give thanks to Thee, for Thou hast answered me; And Thou hast become my salvation. (Psalms 118:21)
   Thou art my God, and I give thanks to Thee; Thou art my God, I extol Thee. (Psalms 118:28)
   Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 118:29)
   I shall give thanks to Thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn Thy righteous judgments. (Psalms 119:7)
   At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to Thee Because of Thy righteous ordinances. (Psalms 119:62)
   To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD-- An ordinance for Israel-- To give thanks to the name of the LORD. (Psalms 122:4)
   Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 136:1)
   Give thanks to the God of gods, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 136:2)
   Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 136:3)
   Give thanks to the God of heaven, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 136:26)
   (A Psalm of David.) I will give Thee thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to Thee before the gods. (Psalms 138:1)
   I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name. (Psalms 138:2)
   All the kings of the earth will give thanks to Thee, O LORD, When they have heard the words of Thy mouth. (Psalms 138:4)
   I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. (Psalms 139:14)
   Surely the righteous will give thanks to Thy name; The upright will dwell in Thy presence. (Psalms 140:13)
   "Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Thy name; The righteous will surround me, For Thou wilt deal bountifully with me." (Psalms 142:7)
   All Thy works shall give thanks to Thee, O LORD, And Thy godly ones shall bless Thee. (Psalms 145:10)
   Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre, (Psalms 147:7)
   Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD; For although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, And Thou dost comfort me. (Isaiah 12:1)
   And in that day you will say, "Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4)
   O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name; For Thou hast worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. (Isaiah 25:1)
   "For Sheol cannot thank Thee, Death cannot praise Thee; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Thy faithfulness. (Isaiah 38:18)
   "It is the living who give thanks to Thee, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Thy faithfulness. (Isaiah 38:19)
   Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and sound of a melody. (Isaiah 51:3)
   'And from them shall proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who make merry; And I will multiply them, and they shall not be diminished; I will also honor them, and they shall not be insignificant. (Jeremiah 30:19)
   "To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and power; Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee, For Thou hast made known to us the king's matter." (Daniel 2:23)
   Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. (Daniel 6:10)
   and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples in turn, to the multitudes. (Matthew 15:36)
   And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; (Matthew 26:27)
   And He directed the multitude to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the multitude. (Mark 8:6)
   And when He had taken a cup, and given thanks, He gave it to them; and they all drank from it. (Mark 14:23)
   And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38)
   and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:16)
   And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; (Luke 22:17)
   And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)
   Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. (John 6:11)
   There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. (John 6:23)
   And so they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. (John 11:41)
   And having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he broke it and began to eat. (Acts 27:35)
   And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. (Acts 28:15)
   First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8)
   For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)
   But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, (Romans 6:17)
   Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:25)
   He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. (Romans 14:6)
   who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; (Romans 16:4)
   I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, (1 Corinthians 1:4)
   If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? (1 Corinthians 10:30)
   and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:24)
   Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? (1 Corinthians 14:16)
   For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. (1 Corinthians 14:17)
   I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; (1 Corinthians 14:18)
   but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
   you also joining in helping us through your prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:11)
   But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
   For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15)
   But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. (2 Corinthians 8:16)
   you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11)
   For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. (2 Corinthians 9:12)
   Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)
   do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; (Ephesians 1:16)
   and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4)
   always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (Ephesians 5:20)
   I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, (Philippians 1:3)
   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
   We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (Colossians 1:3)
   giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:12)
   And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
   Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
   And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17)
   Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)
   We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; (1 Thessalonians 1:2)
   And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
   For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, (1 Thessalonians 3:9)
   in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
   We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
   But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
   I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; (1 Timothy 1:12)
   First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, (1 Timothy 2:1)
   I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, (2 Timothy 1:3)
   I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, (Philemon 1:4)
   Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15)
   And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, (Revelation 4:9)
   saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 7:12)
   saying, "We give Thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast, because Thou hast taken Thy great power and hast begun to reign. (Revelation 11:17)
4. and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples in turn, to the multitudes. (Matthew 15:36)
   And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; (Matthew 26:27)
   And He directed the multitude to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the multitude. (Mark 8:6)
   And when He had taken a cup, and given thanks, He gave it to them; and they all drank from it. (Mark 14:23)
   And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; (Luke 22:17)
   And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)
   Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. (John 6:11)
   There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. (John 6:23)
   And so they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. (John 11:41)
   and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:24)
5. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
   For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15)
   always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (Ephesians 5:20)
6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
7. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Last updated 11/15/00