Thanksgiving Prayer

Thanksgiving is usually a festive holiday filled with a lot of laughter, friends, family, food and fellowship. Football games are enjoyed between desserts and families start bringing out the Christmas decorations. For America, the day is a celebration of the goodness we enjoy everyday. For those of us who pray, it is also a reminder of the millions others who are lonely, starving, living in poverty, homeless, dying from sickness, or imprisoned for their faith.

This week, let us give God thanks for what we have, but let’s also petition God for those who have not. Let’s take some time to reflect on:

• those who have lost their homes and businesses due to natural disasters
• those who have lost loved ones and now live alone
• those who have had family members and friends die from the famine in Africa
• those who have been injured in wars across the globe
• those who are dying from AIDS, cancer, and other diseases
• those who have lost their jobs
• those who are imprisoned and beaten for teaching about Christ
• those who don’t have freedom to worship and thank God openly, without fear

Let’s not just remember them, but say a prayer on their behalf. Lead your children to pray for these needs.

Here’s a prayer by Samuel F. Pugh to think on:

O God, when I have food Prayer ( A Thanksgiving Prayer)

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.
Amen.