The Pilgrims First Thanksgiving Prayer 1621 Plymouth is remembered as one of the earliest recorded moments of communal gratitude in America. After a brutal first winter that claimed nearly half of the Pilgrims’ lives, the survivors gathered in the fall of 1621 with members of the Wampanoag tribe for a harvest feast. Chief Massasoit, Squanto, and Samoset joined the Pilgrims in three days of fellowship, food, and — most importantly — prayer.
Though the exact words spoken are lost to history, we know that prayer was central to the Pilgrims’ way of life. Giving thanks to God for His provision was woven into their daily rhythm. The Pilgrims First Thanksgiving Prayer 1621 Plymouth reminds us that gratitude is not a holiday tradition but a spiritual posture.
The Prayer (Example)
Because no prayer text survives from that first Thanksgiving, historians often reference typical prayers used by the Pilgrims. One such prayer, adapted from George Webb’s 1625 devotional, reflects the heart of their gratitude:
“O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meat and drink for the nourishment of our weak bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we do hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our souls may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.”
This prayer echoes the spirit of the Pilgrims’ gathering: thankfulness for food, peace, and the sustaining grace of God.
Historic Backstory
The winter of 1620–1621 had devastated the Plymouth colony. Disease, hunger, and exposure had left the settlers weak and grieving. Yet through the help of the Wampanoag — teaching the Pilgrims how to plant corn, fish, and survive in their new environment — the colony endured.
When the harvest came, Governor William Bradford declared a time of thanksgiving. It was not just a feast but a sacred acknowledgment of God’s provision. The Pilgrims First Thanksgiving Prayer 1621 Plymouth moment was as much spiritual as it was cultural.
This gathering set a precedent for future thanksgivings, eventually shaping the American tradition we still celebrate today.
Biblical Parallel — Giving Thanks in All Things
The Bible is full of calls to gratitude: “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). For the Pilgrims, thanksgiving was not dependent on abundance — it was a choice to honor God even after loss and hardship.
The Pilgrims First Thanksgiving Prayer 1621 Plymouth mirrors the spirit of Psalm 107: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Their celebration was not just about survival but about acknowledging God’s hand in every season.
Modern Application — Cultivating Gratitude Today
Thanksgiving has become a holiday of food, family, and football, but at its core, it began with prayer. Just as the Pilgrims prayed in Plymouth, we are called to pause in our own lives — in our homes, neighborhoods, and ZIP Codes — to give thanks to God.
The National Prayer Wall encourages us to recover that spirit of gratitude. When we pray over our ZIP Codes, we’re not only asking for God’s help; we’re also thanking Him for His blessings already at work. Gratitude fuels faith and strengthens communities.
Visit Plymouth Today
Visitors to Plymouth, Massachusetts (ZIP Code 02360) can explore sites tied to the First Thanksgiving: Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II, and Plimoth Patuxet Museums, which tell the story of the Pilgrims and their relationship with the Wampanoag. These landmarks offer a tangible connection to that prayerful moment of gratitude in 1621.
📍 This prayer took place in Plymouth, Massachusetts (ZIP Code 02360).
And not even one year earlier, in 1620, the Pilgrims prayed at their embarkation before setting sail from Plymouth (ZIP 02360).
Read about the Pilgrims’ Embarkation Prayer →
Reference Prayers and Proclamations: Historic Prayers in American Life (White House PDF)