10 Ways to Express Thankfulness This Thanksgiving Season

Because sometimes actions do speak louder than words, out of a thankful heart, many of us want to extend this heartfelt gratefulness to God for all His blessings and benefits in our lives to others in spiritual and practical ways.

In looking for opportunities to reach out in tangible ways to those around us, below are ten ways to express our thankfulness this Thanksgiving season:

1. Prayer

Praying with thanksgiving and praising God for our family, friends, community, and nation not only keep our hearts softened and turned toward Him but all the hearts of those we pray for during this season. 

Ephesians 5:20 urges us to always thank God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Donating

If time and resources don’t allow us to provide meals to those in need, we can participate by contributing groceries or giving financially to outreaches and events in our community and nation that are providing American families and individuals with Thanksgiving meals.

As Luke 3:11 explains, “John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’”

(Not sure where to donate? Outreaches such as local churches, community centers, and rescue missions are places that often provide Thanksgiving meals for families and individuals in need.) 

3. Sacrifice

Challenging times often leave us thinking we aren’t up to it or have no reason to offer thanks to God. Yet, God calls us to honor Him through sacrificial thanksgiving, even if we don’t feel like it, praising and recognizing His faithfulness, provision, and more.  

Hebrews 13:15 encourages, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”

4. Words

We have the opportunity to purposefully post thankful words, verses, and stories on social media accounts, helping to encourage ourselves, along with others, to turn towards God with a thankful heart.

As Psalm 19:14 reminds us, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

5. Cards and Letters

Although texts and social media give us quick access to family and friends, there’s something special about sending old-fashioned cards and letters sealed with love to those who may need encouragement.  

As we look for cards, we can ask God to lead us where, when, and whom to send. Like Galatians 6:11 records, the Apostle Paul took time to write to encourage and teach fellow believers. “See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!”

6. Music

Music can touch our hearts in a deep way that words and pictures can’t. By playing, listening, and singing songs of thankfulness throughout the season, we help to keep our hearts softened, along with touching the hearts of those around us.

Ephesians 5:19 urges us to speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing and making music from our hearts to the Lord.

Some classic Christian songs that help us lead us to thankfulness include Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart, Praise the Lord, Awesome God, and I Want to Praise You, Lord.

7. Sharing Our Faith

Before social media, Christians often handed out old-school Gospel tracks. These little booklets can be tucked into purses, backpacks, and cars, ready to hand out and let others know of our thankfulness for our salvation in Jesus Christ, along with allowing them to know Him, too.

As well, tracks can be easily re-read over and over again and passed around from person to person to reach multiple people with the Gospel. Like Isaiah 52:7 describes, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

8. Service

Thanksgiving holiday offers the opportunity to serve at a local church or community event, whether helping to gather food, preparing dishes to serve, or delivering meals to shut-ins and families in need.

1 Peter 4:10, encourages us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

If you aren't sure where to serve, check with local churches and rescue missions, along with organizations like the Salvation Army and Youth for Christ.

9. Valuing Others

We want to recognize the value of putting others before ourselves, even in the smallest of acts, whether opening the door, letting people go before us in checkout lanes and drive-thrus, or giving them a better parking space. 

By doing so, we extend thankfulness and put others ahead of ourselves like Philippians 2:3 urges, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

10. Going the Extra Mile

Each of us has the choice of going the extra mile to help a family member, neighbor, friend, or co-worker in time of need, such as giving them a ride to church, filling their tank up with gas, buying them new tires, replacing or repairing an appliance, or some other practical assistance.

If this seems daunting, doing so doesn’t have to be a hardship. In my husband’s position as a hospice chaplain, he’s often privy to families’ personal needs. Because of it, when hearing of one family giving away an appliance or other household item, he’s learned to be quick in connecting the dots to facilitate transferring the items to families in need of that item.

Philippians 4:19 assures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Kiy Turk

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.