A life of gratefulness is such a fulfilling life to live. It’s true when they say that once you notice the things you are grateful for, you stop noticing what you lack; you stop comparing and complaining about what others have.
With a lot of things to be thankful for, giving thanks shouldn’t just be a once-a-year occasion. We should be grateful everyday. Showing thanks doesn’t always have to be fancy, complete with a turkey and Thanksgiving parade. There are simple ways to show our grateful hearts—be it through a Thanksgiving prayer or a song.
Best Praise Songs for Thanksgiving
This November, you too can start by showing your grateful hearts through these Christian songs about giving thanks!
Thank You – Hillsong Worship
Start off your Thanksgiving playlist with this beautiful worship song, singing purely about being grateful for God’s love for us. How amazing is it to know that we are given grace, hope, and salvation purely because we are loved. There is no greater love than the Lord’s. And, because of that, our praise and glory belongs to Him.
Thank You is a worship song released in July 2010 by Hillsong Worship on their album Beautiful Exchange.
Lyrics we love: “Thank you for salvation/ Thank you for unending grace/ Thank you for your hope/ Thank you for this life you gave.”
Worthy is the Lamb – Hillsong Worship
In this ballad, it shows the heart’s gratefulness of being saved from our sins and for God’s sacrifice on the cross. This song is a good reminder that we’re experiencing a bountiful life, and will experience eternal life, because of God’s love and sacrifice.
Through this song, we should always remember that the life we have isn’t possible without God’s grace. Not only did he forgive our sinful hearts but he also carried the consequences of it for us.
This is about being so grateful for His forgiveness and undying love, and how He made us worthy by sacrificing Himself on the cross.
Lyrics we love: “Thank you for this love Lord/ Thank you for the nail-pierced hands/ Washed me in Your cleansing flow/ Now all I know/ Your forgiveness and embrace.”
Here’s to the One – Hillsong United
Here’s to the One is a fast-tempo, praise song by Hillsong United—not to be confused with Hillsong Worship. UNITED’s style is livelier, bordering on the pop-rock genre, to engage and spread their message to even those outside their church.
The song, released in April 2019, salutes to the Almighty and everything He’s done for us. It emphasizes how His love and kindness saved us and gave us new life to enjoy and live freely from sin.
This is a good thanksgiving song to jump around to while you’re at home. It gives you an overflowing feeling of gratitude and joy.
Lyrics we love: “Here’s to the One who made my heart to sing/ Opened up my eyes washed away my sin/ Here’s to the One who gave His life for mine/ Broke all my chains and set me free alright.”
Indescribable – Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin is a prominent singer-songwriter in contemporary Christian music, amassing numerous awards, with a Grammy one of them. He’s been active in the industry since 1995, singing and writing about praise and worship songs.
This song Indescribable was released in 2004, under his album Arriving. And up until now, its remarkable tune and lyrics still resonate with those who listen to it. Its tune is so captivating that it stays in your mind even though you’ve forgotten the lyrics.
The message of this song is meant to praise the Almighty, and how majestic and magnificent He is. It is about how amazing it is that God knows every lightness and darkness of our hearts, and yet He loves us just the same.
This song is a good praise and thanksgiving song for when you’re overwhelmed with His graciousness and splendor. It is also easy to sing along to, and you’d really feel the sincerity in this song.
Lyrics we love: “Indescribable, uncontainable,/ You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name/ You are amazing, God./ And all-powerful, untamable,/ awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim:/ You are amazing, God.“
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin (37M plays)
Released in 2006, this Christian rock song is one of Chris Tomlin’s most popular songs, garnering 37 million plays on Spotify.
Tomlin’s Amazing Grace is a rendition of the original, turning it into a thanksgiving praise song about how God has set us free from our sins. It is an exclamation of gratefulness for God’s unending love and rescue for someone who doesn’t seem to deserve it.
It’s a song to remind us all that we’re victorious! We’re free and saved, not because of our own strength, but because of God’s grace. It’s a reminder to be thankful that God would always be there for us, no matter what the challenge is.
Lyrics we love: “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free/ My God, my Savior has ransomed me/ And like a flood His mercy reigns/ Unending love, amazing grace.”
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman (36M plays)
Written by English Worship singer Matt Redman, this song has won two Grammy awards in 2013. This song was rightly awarded, as it was able to touch the hearts of millions of people, from around the world and from every religion.
10,000 Reasons is about thanking the Lord, whatever life may bring. May they be challenges or blessings, he would still choose to praise God. Its message is filled with praises, as the lyrics were lifted from Psalms, a book in the Bible that is written as songs of praise.
This song is perfect when you’re doing your daily devotions. It is also ideal for times of reflection on the blessings and challenges that happened in your life. It’s a good song to remind you that no matter the circumstance, God put you there for a reason.
Lyrics we love: “And on that day when my strength is failing/ The end draws near and my time has come/ Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending/ Ten thousand years and then forevermore/ Forevermore.”
This is How We Know – Matt Redman (2009)
In this song, Matt Redman conveys to us how God loves us, and how thankful he is for that great love.
We learn that sometimes, things that we receive are out of someone else’s sacrifice. And, in this instance, God sacrificed His only son to save us from our sins. This is how much He loves us. Now because of that great love, we choose to love him back and be grateful for everything He has done.
Lyrics we love: “Our love will be loud/ Our love will be strong/ Our love shall be hands and feet/ That serve You in this world/ So let us stay true/ And let it endure/ That You will be glorified/ And worshiped and adored.”
Thankful – Kelly Clarkson (2001)
While it’s more of a pop song than praise song, Thankful by Kelly Clarkson is still a lovely thanksgiving song. The song, a part of her debut album in 2001, tackles about being thankful to the one who’s given her all the blessings and love.
She then proceeds to say she’s grateful for the pain and heartaches she’s made and the lessons she’s learned along with it. She was given strength and encouragement in times when she needed it most.
This is a great song to sing to our loved ones who gave us courage and strength and helped us in times of trouble. Singing or letting them listen to this song can let them know how grateful you are to them, too.
All I Can Do (Thank You) – MIKESCHAIR
All I Can Do by MIKESCHAIR is a Christian thanksgiving song that will give you that chill, nostalgic pop/rock vibe. The song is about being thankful for not being given up on and for being given this undeserving life, which most of us take for granted.
It also tackles how this love brings beauty. Now that he’s realized how much he’s loved, he’s in awe, that all he can do is be grateful.
This message resonates with a lot of us, especially if you’ve been so thankful that sometimes you don’t know how to express it. Sometimes when we think about the vastness of God’s love and how He never gave up on us, you’re just in awe.
Lyrics we love: “All I can do is thank You/ For this life I never deserve/ Wanna Thank You/ For the grace I know I don’t have to earn/ You love me, You love me/ Your mercy is proof/ All I can do/ Is say thank You.”
Grateful – Elevation Worship (6M plays)
Grateful has this sound that would just make you stand up, raise your hand, and give praise and thanks. The song is about giving thanks for God’s unfailing love. He carries us into a steadier path when we’re down and weary.
This song is perfect if you want to listen to something upbeat. When you need a pick-me-up reminder that no matter what the challenge is, God is there guiding you by your side. This is also a good song to play when you’re getting together with friends.
Lyrics we love: “This is the day, that You have made/ Whatever comes, I won’t complain/ For all my hope, is in Your name/ And now Your joy, awaits my praise.”
Giving Thanks to Him
There’s more than one way to give thanks for everything we have–family, friends, possessions. And, sometimes we take these for granted or demand things we lack, instead of being grateful for what we have.
No matter where we are in life, it’s always important to be grateful and give thanks to God. Incorporating these songs into your playlist can strengthen your faith and start the habit of having a grateful heart. Remember that a life of gratefulness is much more fulfilling than a life of entitlement.
