Thanksgiving Prayer Before the Meal — sacred illustration
✶ Our Bible Moments No. 157 / 253

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Prayer Before the Meal

Psalm 136:1

Psalm 136:1 opens a psalm of thanksgiving in which every one of its 26 verses ends with the same refrain, “His loving devotion endures forever,” as it praises God for creation, for rescuing Israel and for giving food to every creature.

Lord, we give thanks to You, for You are good. Your loving devotion endures forever. You give food to every creature, and today You have filled this table. Thank You for this meal and the hands that made it, for each person here, and for those we miss today. Make us generous with all You have given. Amen.

Psalm 136:1 opens a psalm of thanksgiving in which every one of its 26 verses ends with the same refrain, “His loving devotion endures forever,” as it praises God for creation, for rescuing Israel and for giving food to every creature.

The Scripture

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.”

— Psalm 136:1

Prayer points from Psalm 136:1

  1. Begin by thanking God for who He is: He is good.
  2. Let everyone answer together: “His loving devotion endures forever.”
  3. Thank Him for the food and for the people who cooked it.
  4. Go around the table and let each person name one thing they are thankful for.
  5. Remember those who are missing from the table this year.
  6. Ask God to make your family generous to people in need.

About this verse

Psalm 136 is a song made for many voices. Every one of its 26 verses ends with the same line, “His loving devotion endures forever,” so it reads like a call and response. It begins, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,” moves through creation and Israel’s rescue from Egypt, and near the end comes to the table: “He gives food to every creature.” That makes it a natural Thanksgiving grace. It is short, it thanks God for who He is before it thanks Him for the food, and even small children can learn the answer. One way to pray it at the table: one person reads the prayer, and everyone answers together, “His loving devotion endures forever.” This prayer is for families and friends to say aloud before the Thanksgiving meal, with children, with guests, or with anyone at the table who doesn’t usually pray.

When to pray this prayer

More prayers for thanksgiving

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