Thanksgiving

a selection of prayers of thanksgiving are at the bottom of the page

We live in a world that has such a supercharged economy that we tend to lose sight of the economy that really matters; God’s economy. At the same time, we are so busy striving to accumulate what the marketplace tells us we must have, that we lose sight of how abundantly God blesses us in his economy.

The day set aside to increase our awareness of God’s blessings and the importance of continually being in a state of thanks- giving for them, Thanksgiving Day, has been substantially appropriated by the market place. The day is so filled with distractions, that little of the day is spent in thanks- giving. 

A continuous attitude of gratitude to God for all that we have, and a deep awareness of all of the ways in which he blesses us, is life-changing. To help you with that transformation, we are conducting a Journey to Thanks- giving via email and our Facebook page between now and Thanksgiving Day. In following the journey, you will find Thanksgiving Day and every day more attuned to gratitude for God’s provision through his economy.

You can come to this web page for additional resources and to see messages once they have been posted via email and Facebook.

1. OUR JOURNEY TO THANKS-GIVING BEGINS

Before today ends, get a pad, notebook, or journal and a comfortable pen.

Begin the habit, at the end of each day, of writing down things from the day for which you are thankful. Date your list and offer a prayer of thanks to God for each blessing on your list.

2. LIVING IN THANKS-GIVING IS LIFE-CHANGING.

God blesses us, no strings attached, abundantly.

God’s economy is one of giving. God gives graciously to us so that we can be part of his flow of blessing the world. When we consciously participate in God’s economy, our outlook on life is changed.

3. HOW IS YOUR NIGHTLY LISTING OF DAILY BLESSINGS GOING? 

Now it’s time to begin, daily, STARTING YOUR DAY IN THANKSGIVING. 

Before you get out of bed every morning, think about the many ways in which God blesses you. Offer a prayer of thanks naming each blessing. 

4. BEGIN TAKING A THANKS-GIVING WALK AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

As you walk, notice more. As you notice each thing, pray “Thank you, God, for creating this ….” Keep offering these prayers throughout your walk.

5. GIVE THANKS TO HIM WHO FORMED ALL THINGS, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOR EVER

(Ecclesiasticus 51:12)

6. QUICK… WRITE DOWN SEVEN THINGS FOR WHICH TO BE THANK-FULL!

Now offer a thank you to God.
It’s so easy to be thank-full. It just takes pausing to notice.

7. IMAGINE YOURSELF WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING…

…not even clothing, shelter, food, water, oxygen, your very existence.
Everything beyond that nothing is a gift from God. Be thank-full!

8. WE ARE BLESSED TO BE BLESSERS. THAT IS GOD’S ECONOMY. 

We interrupt the flow of God’s blessings when we don’t pass them on.
Thanks-giving is an action, not a feeling.

9. HELP EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY START GETTING IN THANKS-GIVING MODE FOR THANKSGIVING DAY.

Give them each a sheet of paper and encourage them to start writing down things for which they are thank-full.

Offer the lists in prayer Thanksgiving Day.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

Below are three different prayers of thanksgiving from our Book of Common Prayer. Chose the one that you feel will fit best for your Thanksgiving Day and copy and print it to make it easy for people to join in.

A General Thanksgiving from Morning Prayer II BCP p101

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

A General Thanksgiving BCP p 836

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

A Litany of Thanksgiving BCP p 836

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so
freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and
sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women,
revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and
our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering
and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and
promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the
Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.