"thanks (n) a good feeling you have toward someone who had helped you; an expression of gratitude."

"thanksgiving (n) a prayer that expresses thanks to God; a public acknowledgement or celebration of diving goodness."

The Bible is loaded with verses about thanks and thanksgiving. Just look at these numbers. The first number represents the number of times "thanks" is mentioned, the second "thanksgiving," and the last number the collective of both.

• English Standard Version 95 / 40 = 135
• American Standard Version 100 / 32 = 132
• Darby's New Translation 78 / 33 = 113
• King James Version 71 / 27 = 98

Obviously, giving thanks is important to the Lord.

Giving thanks on Thanksgiving is typically a smile and a handshake for our employees and customers. Sometimes it includes gift cards or food. It always includes a prayer over the turkey at meal time.

But this year, I challenge you to take your thanks to a deeper level!

9 Way to Give Thanks This Thanksgiving

Here are nine ways to specifically and intentionally give thanks for your employees, customers, your business and to God.

For Employees & Customers

Employees
"[I] do not cease giving thanks for you, mentioning you in my prayers" (Eph. 1:16).

Customers
"We give thanks to God always for you all, mentioning you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father" (1 Thess. 1:2-3).

For Your Business

Work
"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" (Col. 3:17).

Abundance
"So you will be enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God" (2 Cor. 9:11).

Peace
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7, NASB).

For God's Blessings

In Song
"I will praise the name of God with song And magnify him with thanksgiving" (Ps. 69:30, MEV).

In Prayer
"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving" (Col. 4:2).

With Passion
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly" (Ps. 11:1).

For Everything

"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude" (1 Tim. 4:4).

Dr. Jim Harris is an executive coach, adviser and author of 14 award-winning business books. Download his free 31 Power Prayers to Prosper Your Business. Connect with Dr. Jim on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

This article originally appeared at drjimharris.com.

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