Thanksgiving Day 2011

Almighty God, we gather around this table as a family, as your children, in this land of plenty, looking upon this bounty, this meal before us.

We are mindful that we live in a country rich with blessings, yet poor spiritually. For many today, their focus is on false idols and the altar of materialism. It sure feels like we are in the end times. It probably shouldn’t surprise us that tomorrow is called Black Friday.

Lord, help us to always remember to whom we are thankful. You are the creator and the source of all that was, all that is, and all that is to come. On this Thanksgiving day, may we all give thanks to you, our God, who lives and reigns forever and ever.

God you bless us richly. You love us, far more than we deserve, more than we could ever earn. You came to earth as a baby, as the Christ, the Messiah long foretold, and died for our sins, giving us new life in him.

We are your children, your disciples. We are called by scripture, by the calling of the Lamb, our Shepherd, to share the good news, to the ends of the earth. As we have been given, so should we give, using our gifts, our talents, to your glory alone. May we share our blessings richly.

We pray for this troubled world, that war would be no more, that your peace would reign, that all kings and nations would fall at your feet and praise your holy name.

Lord, we pray too for all our loved ones, those in their own homes, those out in the world, and especially we remember those who have gone on before us. We thank you Lord for the gifts of our family, those who have been and are an important part of our lives.

Now Lord, we pray over this meal, that you would use this bounty to heal us, to transform us into more devoted disciples. Help us to use this food to strengthen our bodies, that we truly would be your servants, your people in this troubled world.

And we pray all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.

Amen!

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,280+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.