Happy Thanksgiving - A Thanksgiving Prayer

The following is the prayer I offered at the Community Thanksgiving Service at St. James this past Sunday. It is an adaptation of a prayer found on at LCMS.org. I pray you have a happy Thanksgiving. If you are celebrating with family, cherish the time. If you are alone this Thanksgiving, know you are not alone. Christ is with you and he holds you in his arms.

Pax~
Pr. Schultz

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For grateful hearts and generosity of spirit, that God would receive our thanks for the rich bounty the earth has provided and for the daily bread that supplies all we need for this body and life; and that He would teach us to be generous with His gifts, willingly sharing with those in need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those the Lord has sent to preach the Gospel, that we who do not live by bread alone may hear the Word that comes from the mouth of God and live, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For husbands and wives, parents and children, that the Lord would bless them, make His face shine upon them and make known to them His saving power, that they in turn may make His truth known on the earth to the coming generation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who are single and those who are bereaved of their spouse, that the Lord would bless them, make His face shine upon them and make known to them His saving power, that they would know the fellowship of the saints and serve their neighbors with generosity according to the means the Lord has equipped them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For Joseph and Kristi and all who hold high positions among us, that God would bless them and that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who suffer in our midst, that the Lord would grant them health in accord with His perfect will and guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For a legacy of faith, that just as we look to the saints who have gone before us, we, too, may be found faithful by the next generation of believers, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For contentment in our Lord’s care, that we may learn the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need, able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.