Matthew West and His Dad Say You Should Have a ‘Do Something Thanksgiving’

Matthew West
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 01: In this image released on October 01, 2024 Matthew West attends the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards at Lipscomb Allen Arena on October 01, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

By Michaela Gordoni

Matthew West and his dad, Joseph West, are celebrating this Thanksgiving by doing something — and they think you should too.

“I’d encourage people to go and listen to your song, ‘Do Something,'” Joseph told Matthew on Matthew’s podcast last week. “A powerful, powerful song. And many people come up, youth groups come up and say, ‘Hey, we did a mission trip and our theme song was ‘Do Something.’”

“Not everyone is going to have a happy Thanksgiving,” he reminded. “Some families find themselves in turmoil. Others find themselves facing a storm head-on, while others face their first Thanksgiving with an empty chair.”

He brought to mind the Texas floods from July, when hundreds of people, including many children, died.

“Our prayers, our heart goes out to so many that have faced tragedy in the year of 2025. And of course, we need to keep mentioning from time to time the family of Charlie Kirk, his wife Erika, his children, his parents, and the Turning Point nation,” he continued. “That being said, let’s do things differently this Thanksgiving.”

“Let’s remember those who are hurting and determined to have a do something Thanksgiving. And as a ministry, we do give a gobble,” he said.

Related: Being a Dad Taught Matthew West This About God’s Love

He encourages others to be aware of those in need and help them.

“’Galatians 6:2, Carry each other’s burdens,’” he quoted. “‘And in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ’…Give out of your need. Maybe it’s you and your family in need this year.”

“Please reach out to Matthew’s prayer wall and let us know how we can be praying for you,” the artist’s dad said. “And even in your time of a struggle, ask God to help you see someone in need around you and reach out. God will use you to lift someone up.”

He shared that God also meets your needs when you help others. He shared the example of a couple in a small group who were struggling financially. Weeks later, the leader asked the group to give to a family in need. The couple, not realizing it was them, wrote a check.

Later that night, the leader totaled up the donations and realized that the largest check was from the couple the offering was for.

“Wow,” Matthew said.

“Even though they were hurting, they wanted to help someone else. My advice is to have the best do something Thanksgiving ever. There’s no greater feeling or reward than to help others,” he said.

“Do Something” is a song about getting involved in helping others. Some of the lyrics are:

I just couldn’t bear the thought of

People living in poverty

Children sold into slavery

The thought disgusted me

So, I shook my fist at Heaven

Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”

He said, “I did, I created you”

West is also an ardent supporter of praying for others, which he emphasizes through his “Don’t Stop Praying” song and campaign.

“We’ve all been to a place where discouragement can make us wonder if God really hears our prayers. I wrote this song for anybody who’s ever felt like giving up or losing their faith,” he said on Instagram. “Pray for our families, for our friends, for our enemies, for our nation, for our world.”

Let’s follow West’s lead and “do something” for someone else this Thanksgiving.

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