HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Even if saying grace before meals is a daily ritual for your family, a blessing before Thanksgiving dinner seems to have a deeper meaning. Since 1621, when pilgrims and Native Americans shared the first harvest feast, Thanksgiving prayers have shown appreciation for good health, loved ones and other blessings received throughout the year.
While there is no official prayer, there are several blessings typically used on Thanksgiving Day. You will find these classic options located in the Book of Psalms as well as in the writings of well-known poets and authors.
While there is no official prayer, there are several blessings typically used on Thanksgiving Day. You will find these classic options located in the Book of Psalms as well as in the writings of well-known poets and authors.
If reciting a common Thanksgiving prayer feels forced but your usual mealtime blessing seems too ordinary, then write a family prayer specifically in honor of the special holiday. Everyone can contribute, which involves kids in a Thanksgiving activity and creates a meaningful tradition for your family.
Use these tips to help you get started writing Thanksgiving prayers with your family.
- Acknowledge and offer thanks for family and other guests sharing the Thanksgiving meal.
- Write out general blessings to recognize such as food, health, shelter and family.
- Make a list of personal accomplishments in each family member’s life to be grateful for (i.e. job promotion, new baby, making new friends).
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God's presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God's presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.
Harry Jewell
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.
Harry Jewell
Rating (6.0) |Comments (0)
Loading...
