Thanksgiving prayer

 

Our Thanksgiving prayer

 

President Lincoln made this declaration about Thanksgiving

 

“We often forget the Source from which the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies come…. No human wisdom hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God…. I therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States…to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

Then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.

 

Family Thanksgiving Prayer

 

D ear precious Lord,
We bow our heads in heartfelt, thankful prayer;
For all the ways You've blessed our lives
and for Your loving care.
We thank You for the hands
that have prepared this food
And pray that You will bless all those
who have no food to eat.

We're thankful for Salvation's plan
and for Your Holy Word;
And pray we'll help to spread
Your love to those who've never heard.
We're thankful for our freedom
and for churches that are near;
Where we can meet to praise Your Name
and worship without fear.

But still our hearts are saddened
by our brothers who aren't free;
Who suffer death and torture
for their Christianity.
We pray You'll give them strength
and courage as their cross they bear;
And let them know God's family
remembers them in prayer.

We thank You for heroic troops
who fight for liberty;
And daily risk their lives
and limbs to keep our country free.
Forgive us of our many sins
and keep us close today;
And bless this food You've given us,
In Jesus Name, we pray.
Amen