Thanksgiving
As Americans prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow I would like to press “pause” on reading Acts and leave you instead with a collection of New Testament verses on thanks and thanksgiving.
In the Gospels, by far the most frequent use of these words is in connection with Christ giving thanks in what we have come to know as the Eucharist: “And he took bread, and when he had 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). The word Eucharist in Greek means “thanksgiving,” and thus gratitude is at the heart of Christian life. This becomes obvious through even a superficial reading of the many mentions of “thanks” in the New Testament.
The entire Divine Liturgy is a sacrament of thanksgiving, but the prayer just before communion succinctly sums up both our giving thanks, and our petition for God’s blessing on each of us individually, whatever our particular needs, as we partake of the gifts of bread and wine in the Eucharist. Surely the same prayer could be used for the gift of food we receive daily, and especially on the feast of Thanksgiving.
We give thanks unto Thee, O King invisible, who by Thy measureless power made all things, and in the greatness of Thy mercy brought all things from non-existence into being. Look down from heaven, O Master, upon those who have bowed their heads unto thee, for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but unto Thee, the awesome God. Do Thou Thyself, O Master, distribute these gifts here offered, unto all of us for good, according to the individual need of each; sail with those who sail, travel with those who travel by land sea and by air; heal the sick, O Thou who art the physician of our souls and bodies. Through the grace and compassion and love for mankind of Thine only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes…
Matthew 15:36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
Matthew 26:27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you…
Luke 17:16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Luke 22:17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves;
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had 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.”
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
1 Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus…
1 Corinthians 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
1 Corinthians 11:24 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 14:16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how can any one in the position of an outsider say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 4:15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God;
2 Corinthians 9:12 for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:20 always and for everything give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Philippians 4:6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Colossians 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…
Colossians 1:12 give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Colossians 2:7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers…
1 Thessalonians 3:9 For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God…
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men…
1 Timothy 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my fathers, when I remember you constantly in my prayers.
Revelation 4:9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever…
Revelation 7:12 “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 11:17 “We give thanks to thee, Lord God Almighty, who art and who wast, that thou hast taken thy great power and begun to reign.