When we look through the Bible we see that thanksgiving can be shown in a number of different ways. And, of course, we show thanks to God by the giving of our gifts. C Especially, though, we are to pray. All things are received with thanksgiving when they are received with prayer. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us.
Prayer time is meant to be thanksgiving time.
We see this in the life of Jesus. The gospels tell us how Jesus received every good thing from the Father's hands with thanksgiving. He blessed God before a meal and offered thanks after. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.