Teaching kids to be thankful is one of the best lessons they can learn at an early age. Not only does it set them up to be confident and positive, but it reminds them to give God the glory for everything that they have. Whether it's creating gratitude lists each night before bed or prayers of thanksgiving in the car on the way to school, the habit of gratitude is one for anytime and any place. These ten verses can help to inform the gratitude practice you start with your children. Encourage kids to memorize these verses or use them to begin family prayer time.
1. Psalm 100:4
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name."
A good verse for talking about thankfulness as something we bring with us, not just something we feel when things go well.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Worth pointing out to kids that this doesn't say to be thankful "for" everything, just thankful "in" every circumstance. That's an easier, more honest place to start.
3. Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."
Short and rhythmic, which makes it an easy one for younger kids to memorize.
4. Colossians 3:15
"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."
A nice way to connect gratitude to peace, and to show kids the two often go together.
5. Philippians 4:6
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."
Good for kids who tend to worry. It gives them something concrete to do with that feeling: pray, and give thanks alongside it.
6. Colossians 4:2
"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
A simple verse for talking about what it looks like to pray with a thankful heart, rather than just a list of requests.
7. Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Familiar from a lot of children's songs, and a great daily reset, especially on the harder days.
8. Ephesians 5:20
"And giving thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Useful for showing kids that gratitude isn't just a feeling we have, but something we can actively give.
9. Psalm 92:1
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High."
A gentle way to introduce the idea that thankfulness is simply good for us, not just a rule to follow.
10. James 1:17
"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."
A good one for helping kids trace the good things in their life back to where they actually came from.