What the Bible Says About Gratitude

Studies have shown that gratitude makes us happier. Being thankful helps us meditate on all the good in our lives, giving us a positive outlook. As we’re about to see in these Bible verses, God wants us to overflow with thankfulness. When we have the right mindset about gratitude, we’re able to put everything in its proper perspective.

Here at Compassion International, we feel such gratitude for our supporters, who join us in the fight against poverty. We pour our effort into restoring hope and opportunities for children around the world. We’re so grateful for everyone who joins us in this endeavor and feel special thankfulness for loving sponsors who pour out their hearts to encourage the children they sponsor through letters. Together we are making a difference.

Gratitude in the Christian Life

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:6-7, NIV

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

— Colossians 2:6-7, NIV

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

— Colossians 3:15, NIV

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

— Matthew 5:16, NIV

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

— Colossians 4:2, NIV

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

— v1 Timothy 4:4-5, NIV

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

— Philippians 4:12-13, NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

— James 1:2-4, NIV

Gratitude to God

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

— 2 Corinthians 4:15, NIV

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

— 1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

— Ephesians 1:16, NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

— 1 Chronicles 16:34, NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

— Psalm 118:1, NLT

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

— Psalm 136:1, ESV

Praise the LORD. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; For His mercy is everlasting.

— Psalm 106:1, NASB

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

— Psalm 107:1, NKJV

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

— 2 Thessalonians 1:3, NIV

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

— 2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV

But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, “Salvation comes from the LORD.”

— Jonah 2:9, NIV

But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

— 1 Samuel 12:24, NIV

Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.

— Psalm 147:7, NIV

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

— 1 Chronicles 16:8, NIV

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

— Psalm 28:7, NIV

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

— Colossians 3:17, NIV

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

— Psalm 9:1, NIV

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

— Psalm 69:30, NIV

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

— 1 Corinthians 1:4, NIV

The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

— Psalm 118:24, NIV

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

— Ezra 3:11, NIV

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, NIV

I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.

— Psalm 35:18, NIV

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

— Hebrews 12:28-29, NIV

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

— 2 Corinthians 2:14, NIV

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

— Psalm 103:2-5, NIV

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

— Psalm 107:21-22, NIV

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

— Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

— Isaiah 41:10, NIV

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

— Ephesians 5:20, ESV

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

— Psalm 95:1-3, ESV

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

— Psalm 50:23, ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

— James 1:17, ESV

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

— Psalm 103:1-2, ESV

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

— Hebrews 13:15, ESV

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

— Psalm 100:1-5, ESV

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