Thanksgiving Prayer

Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, turkey and dressing,

            desserts as far as the eye can see.

It’s a spread worthy of this

            stuff’em-till-they-drop-in-front-of-the-TV holiday.

For a day that started with such a noble purpose,

            we’ve certainly managed to pervert it.

Lord, I’m confronted by the fact that Thanksgiving

            no longer has much to do about giving thanks.

The focus is on gluttony and sports and

            only momentarily on You.

For some people, the question may even be

            “Why say thank You?”

            I work hard for all this.

It’s so easy to overlook You in

            the good times, Lord.

But you never forget us.

You send the rain on the just and the unjust,

            whether we say thanks or not.

Our tables overflow and bank accounts bulge

            whether we remember you or not.

What a great God You are.

And nowhere is Your greatness more apparent

            than on the cross.

You sent Your only son to save us-

            a  gift freely given with no expectation of repayment.

Nor can repay the great price-and

            Our thanks Yous seem insignificant.

But thank you Lord, for the

            bounty on our table,

            for family and friends,

            for possessions and jobs,

            and for the extras to numerous to count.

A special thank You for the gift I treasure most,

            my salvation.

Words cannot express my gratitude.  Amen.

Real Men Pray: Prayer Thoughts for Husbands and Fathers

Thomas Couser

CPH, 1996