Category Archives: Thanksgiving

Giving thanks to the Father for the many blessings He has given us.

Bible Mom: If Sarah gave Thanks…

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And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6

Sarah laughed. She didn’t cry. She didn’t say, “That’s crazy!” She didn’t immediately rejoice in thanks and praise to God. Sarah laughed.

Do you remember the story of Sarah?  We meet her early on in our Bibles, right in the book of Genesis.  Her name really began as Sarai, meaning “my princess,” and Abraham’s name was Abrahm. Sarai was a very beautiful lady, so beautiful that Abraham told kings she was his sister to protect himself.  She actually was his sister, but only a half-sister. 

Sarai had an interesting life as God called Abrahm to move.  She became accustomed to living in tents and honored Abrahm’s wishes when he requested her silence.  Sarai did have one fault: She didn’t trust God to provide her with a child, so she gave her servant Hagar to Abraham.  Hagar conceived and bore a son name Ishmael, but He wasn’t God’s chosen heir.  Sarai then abused Hagar and Ishmael because she wanted a child (Genesis 16).

Finally, God looked with favor on the elderly couple, sending an angel to announce a baby.  Abrahm was given the new name Abraham, and Sarai was given the name Sarah, meaning “princess.”  She would no longer be just Abraham’s princess, but the mother of many!  When the baby announcement came, Sarah was hiding in the tent.  Since she was 90 years old (Genesis 17:17) and thought she’d never have a baby, she laughed at the news (Genesis 18:12).  And so her baby was given the name Isaac which means laughter. 

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11 (NKJV)

Can you imagine Sarah’s THANKS to God after the birth of Isaac?  What would she say?

 THANK You, Lord, for this son you have given me in my old age. 

THANK You for hearing my prayers from so long ago. 

THANK You for forgiving me for my sin in sharing Hagar and then abusing her.

THANK You for taking away my shame and blessing me. 

THANK You for watching over us all our lives as we moved from here to there, protecting me from those kings who might have touched me. 

THANK You for being the One who formed the stars and Your promise that our children will be as many as the stars (Genesis 15:5).

THANK You again and again for this baby.

THANK You, Oh, Lord, my God. Amen.

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Read Sarah’s story in Genesis 18:1-15. Ponder what Sarah might have prayed in THANKSGIVING. What blessings do you have for which to THANK God?  This is what the first “T” of the TEA CUPP is all about, giving Him THANKS. 

This week underline THANKSGIVING verses in your BIBLE. Put a “T” next to the verses, choosing one to write in your prayer journal. Use this as a conversation starter for your THANKSGIVING prayers.  Here are some verses to get you started…

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Psalm 75:1

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20

Thank you to Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org for the great clip art!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Thank You Psalms

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Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8 (NKJV)

When spring finally comes to Montana after a very long winter, our hearts overflow in thanksgiving to Jesus. The bright blue skies promise an end to snow storms. Drifts melt into puddles, making way for green fields.  The daffodils and tulips raise colors in praise to their Creator.  And my heart sings for joy that winter is over!

This is the perfect time to read a Psalm of thanks, remembering all the blessings Jesus has sent us.  Psalms 107 or 136 are great places to begin.  I love the rhythm of these Psalms, how they repeat and we may add our own lines of thanks…

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
    For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
    For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
    For His mercy endures forever:

To Him who alone does great wonders,
    For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
    For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
    For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who made great lights,
    For His mercy endures forever— Psalm 136:1-7 (NKJV)

When I go running on a beautiful spring morning, my heart is bursting with thanks for the mountains, the blue skies, the green fields, the bright sunshine…I like to sing a song in my head as my feet pound out the rhythm…

Thank You, God, for this beautiful day.
Thank You, God, for this beautiful day.
Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son.
Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son.
Thank You, Jesus, for dying for us.
Thank You, Jesus, for dying for us.
Thank You, Spirit, for living in me.
Thank You, Spirit, for living in me.
Thank You, Father, for loving us so much.
Thank You, Father, for loving us so much.
Thank You, Jesus, You are my King.
Thank You, Jesus, You are my Lord.
Thank You, Spirit, for delivering our prayers.
Thank You, Spirit, for delivering our prayers.
Thank You, God, for this beautiful day.
Thank You, God, for this beautiful day.

Today’s TEA CUPP:  What song of thanksgiving has God put in your heart? Begin today by reading Psalm 107, 136 or another Psalm.  Select a favorite verse to write in your prayer journal and pray to Jesus.  Let this verse be your conversation starter as you thank the Lord for the many blessings He has given you.  Perhaps you’d like to write your own “Thank You Psalm” to God.

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

My Thanks TEA

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In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18  (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul tells us to give thanks in everything.  God’s man who was ship-wrecked, beaten, stoned and imprisoned for Jesus, found ways to always be thankful. So this Thanksgiving, I’m challenged to give thanks in all parts of my TEA CUPP Prayers.  Here is a blend of Thanksgiving verses put together especially for you, my TEA CUPP friend.  May God bless your Thanksgiving prayers!

T for Thanksgiving:

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2 (NKJV)

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Psalm 75:1 (NKJV)

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV)

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalm 30:4 (NKJV)

I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.  Psalm 92:1 (NKJV)

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen. Revelation 7:12 (NKJV)

We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.  Revelation 11:17 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise. 1 Chronicles 16:35 (NKJV)

 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3-4 (NKJV)


Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High. Psalm 50:14 (NKJV)

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:17 (NKJV)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:12 (NKJV)

So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
Will give You thanks forever;
We will show forth Your praise to all generations. Psalm 79:13 (NKJV)

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence. Psalm 140:13 (NKJV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. Colossians 1:3 (NKJV)

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: We can find so many thanksgiving verses in our Bibles.  Jesus must want to hear our thanks!  Underline these verses and other favorites God shows you.  Use these scriptures to pray and be thankful all year long.

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Mealtime Pizzazz

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T for Thanks: Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 1o7:1 (NKJV)

Today, for all moms who want to add some pizzazz to your mealtime prayers, I share with you my favorite graces to sing from summer camp. Enjoy these with your kids as you give thanks to Jesus for your food.

1. Be Present at our Table Lord
(Tunes:  Traditional, Lone Ranger, Gilligan’s Island, Jeopardy, Flintstones, Popeye, Adam’s Family,  etc.)
Be present at our table, Lord.
Be here and everywhere adored.
These mercies bless and grant that we
May feast in fellowship with Thee.
Amen

2. God Is Great and God is Good
(Tune: Flintstones)
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Oh,
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our…
We thank Him for our…
We thank Him for our food.  Ya-ba-da-ba-do!

3. God is Great, God is Good
(Tune: Rock Around the Clock)
God is great, God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
We’re gonna thank Him in the morning, noon, and night.
We’re gonna thank our God cause He’s outa sight.
Amen. Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh.
Amen. Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh.
Amen. Chhhhh.

4. Morning has Come
Morning (evening, etc) has come
The board is spread
Thanks be to God
Who gives us bread.  Amen.

5. Johnny Appleseed
Oh, the Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord,
For giving me the things I need,
The sun and the rain and the apple seed,
The Lord is good to me.
And every seed I sow,
Shall grow into a tree.
And someday there’ll
Be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
The Lord is good to me.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

6. Praise Jesus, the Son of Man
(Tune: Popeye)
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man,
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man,
He died for us sinners,
He feeds us our dinners,
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man –Amen
Toot! Toot!

7.Thank You Lord, for Giving Us Food
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Right where we are.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Right where we are. Amen.

8. Come and Dine
Come and dine, the Master calleth,
Come and dine.
You may feast at Jesus’ table anytime.
He feeds the multitudes,
Turns the water into wine,
Come and dine the Master calleth,
Come and dine.

9. In Back of the Bread
In back of the bread is the flour, and
In back of the flour is the mill, and
In back of the mill is the wind and the rain,
And the Father’s will.

10.  Jesus is the Real Thing
(Tune:  Coke Theme Song)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.
Those who come to Me will never go hungry.
Those who come to Me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35 – Jesus is the REAL THING!
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-Amen!
Do-do-do-do-do-Jesus is the REAL THING.
Aahh!

OR

The sun will always shine,
The birds will always sing,
As long as there is God
There’s always the REAL THING.
Jesus came down and died for our sins.
Now we thank you God as this meal begins.
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-Amen!
Do-do-do-do-do-Jesus is the REAL THING.
Aahh!

11. Superman
Thank you, God, for giving us food.
Thank you, God, for giving us food.
For the friends that we meet.
For the food that we eat.
Thank you God for giving us food!
Swshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

12. Sesame Street
Son of Man, Guardian of the land.
Grant us strength to carry out your plan.
You do bless us as we say,
Thank you for this food today.
Thank you for this food today.

14.  God has Created a New Day
God has created a new day
Silver and green and gold
Live that the sunset may find you
Worthy God’s gifts to hold.

15.  Thanks be to God
(Tune: Windy)
Thanks be to God,
Creator Almighty.
Thanks be to God,
Who gives us this bread.
Thanks be to God,
The Spirit eternal.
Thanks be to God
Forever.

16. Bless Our Friends
(Tune: Edelweis)
Bless our friends
Bless our food
Come O Lord and sit with us
May our talk
Glow with praise
May your wisdom surround us
Friendship and love
May they bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Bless our friends
Bless our food
Come O Lord
And sit with us!

17. Eagles’ Wings
And God will raise you up
On Eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of God
Make you to shine like the Son
And hold you in the palm
Of God’s hand.

18.  Rubber Ducky
Rub-a-dub, dub, dub
Thanks for the grub
Yeeeeaaah, God!!!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Each day or meal, let a different family member choose the singing grace. After singing, that person may also lead a spoken grace.  You will be teaching thankfulness and also helping your children be prayer leaders in your home.

…O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:12 (NKJV)