A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Father, we praise you and give thanks for the bounty of your gifts; especially the gift of life, which we receive by your grace, and the new life you give in Jesus Christ.
The world surrounds us with images and ideas trying to convince us that we don’t have enough material wealth, popularity, beauty, or success.
Give us eyes to see your glory manifest in the handiwork of shaping and sustaining your creation that provides us with all our needs and we pray for the will to strive to be your faithful and wise stewards of all that you provide.
We thank you for the gifts of intellect, imagination, and the skills you give us to be involved in your plans for creation and pray that you use us for your purposes and not let our lives be consumed by our purposes, wants, and desires.
We thank you for the gifts you bring us in those with whom we share our lives; our families, friends, colleagues, and others, the support and encouragement we give each other and, most of all, the sustaining love and affection we share.
We thank you for the joy that is ours through shared experiences, celebrations of life, giving, caring, and serving the needs of others whether close relationships or a world away.
We thank you for the presence and power of your Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us on our life’s journey.
We thank you for the church community and all the faithful saints revealing the splendor and wonder of your Kingdom to the world. May we find our place among them in worship, prayer, study, and fellowship with hearts for inviting others into relationships filled with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
As we lift these prayers of thanksgiving we acknowledge there are many who are living in pain, suffering and great need. May we be led by your Spirit of generosity to those who are struggling every day with the basic necessities of life and/or living in loneliness and despair and may you give us the courage to serve their needs with hearts of sacrifice.
In this season of thanksgiving we are especially thankful for the healing and saving love you have poured out on us through the death and rising of Jesus Christ your Son from whom we receive all these blessings and many more.
May we honor the bounty we receive through Him by giving our lives to the service of your Kingdom as Jesus’ faithful disciples revealing His love and grace and glorifying Him in all that we do. Amen.
Contributed by Jim Witherow
