Prayer of Thanksgiving

A few weeks ago, I led the prayer of Thanksgiving at my church. I had a lot of things on my mind, and I touched on many of them. But I am grateful above all.

Father God,

Thank you for the truth shared in Nehemiah 9:17, that You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in Love.  Lord, today we thank you for your forgiveness, your compassion, grace, and love in a world that is angry and hurting.

Thank you for the gifts of faith and the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for holding us tightly when world events hurt so much that any words we say are inadequate, and impossible to say.  

Thank you for the gifts of health and healthcare amid a pandemic, strong leadership and community, friends, especially our church friends, and family. 

Thank you for those who have come before us: ministers, leaders, teachers, and the parents of all of us, helping to make our Church what it is today. Thank you for children, whose open hearts and honest faith awaken us, and sometimes make us laugh.

It is in the name of Jesus Christ, that we pray, knowing that whenever two or three are gathered in His name, there He will be in the midst of them. Amen.