My apologies to all you Exploring Christianity readers! The last two weeks have been rather hectic, exacerbated by an accident my wife had that resulted in a broken leg. Needless to say, things other than my posts have taken my attention.
This post continues what I hope to be an annual tradition, the Thanksgiving Prayer. I posted a similar prayer last Thanksgiving, and hope the one given below is meaningful to you. It is written for all peoples, regardless of their country of residence.
I hope to resume my weekly posting schedule this coming week. In the meantime, be well.
Richard
Here is this year’s Thanksgiving Prayer …
Our Father, who art in Heaven, we offer this prayer of thanks to you who brought all things into being and made all things possible.
Lord, it is not possible for us to adequately express our depth of gratitude for the glorious wonders of your creation, but we pray that you will hear our sincere thanks for all you have done and are doing.
We thank you, God, for our lives and the opportunity to live them with and in you. And for the knowledge that you know and love us and have gifted us with the capacity to know and love you in return.
We thank you, Father, for those you have surrounded us with. We are all your children, Lord, and so we are each a reflection of you. When we see others, we see you too. And, when we hear them, we can hear You. And in knowing and caring for them, we can know and care about you also. Just as we can see ourselves in our own children so we can see you in each other.
These things are precious, indeed.
But, Lord, Jesus was your greatest gift to us. For without Him, we would be truly lost. Our existence would be meaningless, and we would never know the fullness of your love and grace. We praise you God for this most precious gift and ask for the strength to obey His commands and to live by His example.
We ask, Lord, that you hear this petition and praise from an ungrateful and undeserving people.
Forgive us, Father, for being less than we know you would have us be. Forgive our ingratitude and disregard for your creation and one another. We do not deserve your favor or our relationship with you, but we are grateful for your mercy and forgiveness.
Your gifts are beyond our ability to comprehend or appreciate fully. Nevertheless, we accept them with utmost thanks. Help us all to work to deserve them better as we grow in our relationship with you.
These things we pray in the name of your Holy Son,
Amen.
God’s Blessings On You All.
Richard
November 30, 2019
