“I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the. lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” - Psalm 138

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

O Gracious Father,
Today we give thanks to you with our whole heart.
You are worthy of our praise, our affections, our entire life.
We confess that have been half-hearted in our gratitude
And have missed or ignored your gifts, both great and small.

Please open our eyes to see the height of your goodness and the depth of our needs.

Today we give thanks for your Word.
Your Word is purer than gold, like silver tried in a furnace.
Your Word stands firm in a world of half-truths, self-serving excuses, and even bold-faced lies.
The books you have given are sufficient to be the firm foundation of our faith.
You have graciously spoken through your Word to make yourself known and bring your people close to you.
We confess the times that we have turned away from you to cheap thrills, worthless pursuits, and voices that dress up our sins in flimsy disguises.

Please awaken our senses to the beauty, power, and perfection of your Word.

Today we thank you for hearing our prayers.
You listen to every word and groan, from the smallest inner thought to our loudest shouts of pain.
You weep with your people and know our deepest, unexpressed feelings.
You are never cold towards your children nor turn a deaf ear to us.
We confess that in the midst of trouble we have doubted your love for us.

Please warm our hearts with your fatherly presence and relentless affection.

Today we thank you for your wise purposes.
When we call, your answer is never short-sighted or ineffective.
You answer with perfect knowledge, discerning what you will give, withhold, or allow in light of your broader purposes.
The seemingly infinite motion of the universe is all moving according to your will.
And though we are but one small part, you guide our steps like a father teaching his child to walk.
We confess that there are times that we think we know better than you, though we cannot even see tomorrow.

Please help us trust your sovereign, tender care, especially when we don’t understand the answer to our cries.

Heavenly Father, deliver us from the chains of sin and death and into your loving embrace.
Precious Son, teach us to submit to the Father as you did in the garden of Gethsemane, entrusting yourself to him who judges justly.
Holy Spirit, fill us with gratitude for every good gift that comes down from the Father of lights,

Amen