At this special time we pause and reflect looking around and realizing just how blest we are with all that surrounds us. Family, friends and a wonderful repast to enjoy it all with, we truly need to be thankful.
If your at a loss for words this Thanksgiving, here is a short collection of prayers of grace that you may want to consider to help you express your gratitude.
When I count my blessings this holiday, your wonderful friendship, support, and love will be at the top of the list.
Thank You, Thank You, Generous God!
Thank You, thank You, thank You, generous God!
You have injected life with joy, thus we know laughter.
You have dabbed creation with color, thus we enjoy beauty.
You have whistled a divine tune into the rhythm of life, thus we hear music.
You have filled our minds with questions, thus we appreciate mystery.
You have entered our hearts with compassion, thus we experience faith.
Thank You, God, Thank You. Thank You!
- Welton Gaddy
O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.
– Samuel F. Pugh
An Iroquois Prayer
We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us. We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water. We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases. We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and squash, which give us life. We return thanks to the bushes and trees, which provide us with fruit. We return thanks to the wind, which, moving the air, has banished diseases. We return thanks to the moon and the stars, which have given us their light when the sun was gone. We return thanks to our grandfather He-no, .., who has given to us his rain. We return thanks to the sun, that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye. Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children.
A Hebrew Blessing
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Eternal King,
Who feeds the whole world with Your goodness,
With grace, with loving kindness, and with tender mercy.
You give food to all flesh,
For Your loving kindness endures forever.
Through Your great goodness, food has never failed us.
O may it not fail us forever, for Your name’s sake,
Since You nourish and sustain all living things,
And do good to all,
And provide food for all Your creatures
Whom You have created.
Blessed are You, O Lord, Who gives food to all.
Thanksgiving Blessing
Lord be with us on this day of Thanksgiving
Help us make the most of this life we are living
As we are about to partake of this bountiful meal
Let us not forget the needy and the hunger they feel
Help us to show compassion in all that we do
And for all our many blessings we say thank you.
– Helen Latham
Prayer Before Meals from my Catholic Upbringing
Bless us O Lord for these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Whatever words you choose, may you always walk with a grateful heart giving thanks for the abundance that DOES surround you.
If you have a special prayer of Thanksgiving, please share it. I’m making a collection for us all.
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you, and sending special blessings to your wonderful families.
