Again I bow my head but this time deep within me stirs a mighty prayer, part of one vast design, "God, help me make America as proud that I am hers as I am proud, and grateful she is mine!" This year my heart has learned what all Thanksgiving Days are for, true thankfulness at last I realize, but, God, I'm sorry that it took the tragedy of war in other lands to open up my eyes. I think I know the feeling of those first Americans who said, "We must give thanks for this, our land." I cherish now the rights that are each woman's, ev'ry man's, the rights I've just begun to understand. And, God, this year a deep humility has filled my heart, a newborn pride rings true throuout my soul because I do belong, because I have and am a part, a tiny part of one tremendous whole. But, God, this year is different, this year I seem to feel America's Thanksgiving is my own, that in my nation's gratitude I have a part that's real, a part that until now I've never known. God, ev'ry year about this time, according to routine, I've bowed my head in the accepted way and offered thanks, like some well synchronized machine that prayed because it was the time to pray.
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.įor each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything thy goodness sends. We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes, not by our words but by our deeds. For human liberty and sacred rites for opportunities to change and grow, to affirm and choose: We give thanks this day. For all who have labored and suffered for a fairer world, who have lived so that others might live in dignity and freedom: We give thanks this day. For high hopes and noble causes, for faith without fanaticism, for understanding of views not shared: We give thanks this day.
For our human community, our common past and future hope, our oneness transcending all separation, our capacity to work for peace and justice in the midst of hostility and oppression: We give thanks this day. For the joy of human life, its wonders and surprises, its hopes and achievements: We give thanks this day. For this fragile planet earth, its times and tides, its sunsets and seasons: We give thanks this day. Hays, Edward, Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home (Kansas: Forest of Peace Books, 1979), 122.įor the expanding grandeur of creation, worlds known and unknown, galaxies beyond galaxies, filling us with awe and challenging our imaginations: We give thanks this day. May You, our God, bless this Thanksgiving feast and all of us who shall share it in your holy name. We are thankful for all who are present at this our feast as well as for all those who have labored in love in order to bring this dinner to our table. We also thank one another for gifts - especially for the gifts of love and affection that we have freely shared. We pause now and, in silent prayer, do thank you for the great generosity of Your gifts. We have come to this our feasting table with great joy and eagerness, for we are truly grateful to you, our God, for all that we have been given. Lord God, Our hearts are crowded with gratitude as we celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving. By Kelli Mahoney Crowded With Gratitude I pray that you remind me of just how blessed I am and that you never allow me to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness. I am extremely grateful for all of your blessings in my life, Lord. I hope that you give me the ability to give to them the same kindness they have provided to me.
I hope that you provide me with the ability and sense to show them every day how much they matter. You speak to me in so many ways so that I always know you are here.Īnd Lord, I am so grateful for keeping those around me safe and loved. You help me make better choices and provide me with advisors to help me with life’s difficult decisions. You protect me from those things that seem to haunt others. They lift me up in ways that keep my eyes focused on you and make my spirit soar.Īlso, thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life.