Prayers of Gratitude
On this page are several uplifting prayers and quotes to help develop gratefulness to God in your life, including the famous "Day by Day" prayer of St Richard, who is said to have uttered these words shortly before passing into Heaven. There is also a beautiful contemporary prayer of gratitude to God for his goodness and kindness, a short prayer of thanks, an inspiring prayer of appreciation for the blessings in life and an evening meditation.
1. The "Day by Day" prayer
(Prayer of St Richard)Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.
An inspiring reading of the prayer of St Richard, with breathtaking images of a sunset over a beautiful landscape. Watch more films like this at prayerscapes.
2. A Prayer of Gratitude to God
Father, dear Father,
I am so grateful for everything that you have given me.
Thank you so much for the loved ones in my life,
For the many ways in which I am cared for and supported.
Thank you for the many ways I can serve and give to others.
Thank you for the rich tapestry of colours in creation,
For the beauty which is all around me,
For the skies and the ever changing cloud formations,
For the breathtaking sunsets and early morning mists.
My heart is so grateful and brimming with thanks.
I could write a thousand books about your great goodness,
And still have many stories to tell.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I thank you with everything I am.
All my being cries thank you Lord!
Amen.
(a short prayer of gratitude to God from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
3. A Simple Prayer of Gratitude
a printable prayer of thanks suitable for personal devotion or for a program or church newsletter:-
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy
4. Short Thanksgiving Prayer
A modern prayer thanking God for his love and care through the seasons of life. About 2.00 minutes long:-
Here's the words to this prayer of thanks and gratitude:-
Lord, thank you for walking with us through the seasons of our lives.
For the winter, when we are held safe in your arms through the darkness.
For the hope of spring, as we are filled with new promise and life...
read this prayer in full here on the thanksgiving prayers page
5. Evening Prayer of Gratitude
Let the darkened sky with stars so bright,
Shine down on me, O lord of light.
Let my soul awaken to praise!
Let the moon so still and quiet above,
Remind me of your unchanging love.
Let my heart receive your grace!
(an evening prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
6. Prayer of Appreciation
(a prayer of thanks for the blessings in life)Lord
Let the details in life take my attention today
A warm mug of tea
The gentle grass under my feet
And the chance just to gather and eat
O Lord
Let the everyday pleasures ring out melodies in my heart
The smile of a friend
A warm comfy bed
The sunlight on the trees and walks in the park
O Lord
Let the more ordinary reveal its amazing delight
Clouds drifting by
Birds sweeping high
The sunset that transforms day into night
Lord
May these things inspire me to praise
And bring a clear moment of sight
Now I see how amazing the world truly is
And soak in Your goodness and light
(a prayer of appreciation from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
7. Thanksgiving Prayer for the Beauty of the Earth
(Source: 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA)
8. Short Prayer of Gratitude
Dear God,
All the beauty, goodness, tenderness, peace, hope and love are yours.
You are the source of all kindness, the beginning of grace and the birth of compassion.
O God, how we sing your praise! We will proclaim your greatness and dwell in your wonderful ways forever.
Amen.
(a prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Two Reasons to be Grateful!
It is a good thing to develop a life full of thankfulness to God. Here are two reasons why:-
• The bible encourages us to do this. In the psalms we read "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever". (Psalm 118:1, NIV)
• Being grateful dispels fear and anxiety. If we allow our minds to think about and celebrate all the good things we have (and things that we may well take for granted), then there is less room for negative thoughts in our lives.
For example, the next time you are in the supermarket, why not thank God for the great abundance you are surrounded by? "Father, thank you for all the many wonderful foods that are here!" As you are at the checkout, take a moment to thank God in your heart for the items that you are packing - "God, I really am so grateful for these things".
An example of gratitude in the bible
As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."
They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough-and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:12-16 (The Message)
Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (American writer 1802-1883)
resources on this page
Thanksgiving prayer (video)
Episcopal thanksgiving prayer
An example of gratitude in the bible