Saints, for the next few weeks, I want to use this space to share prayers of thanksgiving as a means of preparing our hearts and minds for that particular season we will celebrate soon. While the giving of thanks should be a perpetual part of our lives, it is also good to have certain times set apart for that purpose. For this week, I share with you two traditional prayers that have been part of the life of the church for many years.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving (often used to prepare for partaking of the Lord’s Supper)
With joy we give you thanks and praise,
Almighty God, Source of all life and love,
that we live in your world,
that you are always creating and sustaining it by your power,
and that you have so made us that we can know and love you,
trust and serve you.
We give you thanks
that you loved the world so much
that you gave your only Son,
so that everyone who has faith in him
may not die but have eternal life.
We thank you that Jesus was born among us;
that he lived our common life on earth;
that he suffered and died for us;
that he rose again;
and that he is always present through the Holy Spirit.
We thank you that we can live in the faith
that your kingdom will come,
and that in life, in death,
and beyond death you are with us.
Therefore with all the company of heaven,
and with all your people,
of all places and times,
we proclaim your greatness and sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of
the Lord.
A Prayer of General Thanksgiving (from the Book of Common Prayer)
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 ourselves 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.
