Anniversary Prayer of Thanksgiving
10 Prayers of Thanksgiving and Praise
A s we reflect on this Thanksgiving Day 2014 in the United States I wanted to revisit something I wrote a couple years ago. Thanksgiving and praise is good anytime of the year, but especially today offer your prayers to the Lord for He is great and He is faithful.
I love to pray to the Lord and most often I am offering prayers for assistance in something – health, provision, or even as an intercessory prayer for another one’s needs.
Do you find that to be true with yourself? I know that our Heavenly Father loves to hear from us, but not only in the times of trial or testing; He loves to hear our praise and thanksgiving as well.
Here are some prayers that I have collected, most of them right from God’s own word.
To God the Creator
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psalm 8)
To God who Forgives all Transgressions
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. (Psalms 26:2-8)
To God who Deserves all Glory and Praise
He loves to hear our praise and thanksgiving
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. (Psalms 95:1-6)
To God — the Lord of All
O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. (Psalms 116:16-18)
A Mother’s Prayer of Thanksgiving & Praise:
… My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the poor the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. (Hannah’s prayer from 1 Samuel 2:1-10)
A King’s Prayer of Praise & Adoration:
… Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. (King David’s prayer from 1 Chronicles 29:10-13)
A Thanksgiving Prayer for the Queen:
God of time and eternity,Whose son reigns as servant, not master;We give you thanks and praiseThat you have blessed this nation,The realms and territories with Elizabeth,
Our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,Grant her your gifts of love and joy and peaceAs she continues in faithful obedience to you,Her Lord and God,And in devoted service to her land and people,And those of the Commonwealth.Now and all the days;Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
(The Diamond Jubilee Prayer, written at the Queen’s direction by the chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral) [1]
A President’s Prayer of Thanksgiving & Praise:
Most gracious Lord God, from whom proceedeth every good and perfect gift, I offer to Thy Divine Majesty my unfeigned praise and thanksgiving, for all Thy mercies toward me. Thou made me at first and hast ever since sustained the work of Thine own hand.
Thou gave Thy Son to die for me, and hast given me assurance of salvation upon my repentance and sincerely endeavoring to conform my life to His holy precepts and example.
Thou art pleased to lengthen out to me the time of repentance and to move me to it by Thy Spirit and by Thy Word, and by Thy mercies and by Thy judgments. Amen. (George Washington)
Prayer of Thanksgiving from a Poet and Lyricist:
O Thou whose bounty fills my cup,With every blessing meet!I give Thee thanks for every drop—
The bitter and the sweet.
I praise Thee for the desert road,And for the riverside;For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied.
I thank Thee for both smile and frown,And for the gain and loss;I praise Thee for the future crown
And for the present cross.
I thank Thee for both wings of loveWhich stirred my worldly nest;And for the stormy clouds which drove
Me, trembling, to Thy breast.
I bless Thee for the glad increase,And for the waning joy;And for this strange, this settled peace
Which nothing can destroy. (Jane Crewdson, 1860)
Thanksgiving & Praise in a Song:
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,With ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us;And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. (Martin Rinkart & Catherine Winkworth)
God desires our praise and thanksgiving. Isn’t it the least we could for all He has done for us?
Resources – The Holy Bible, King James Version. [1] www. dailymail.co.uk. video “O Praise Him” by David Crowder Band
[This post was originally published at WCWTK on July 7, 2012]Would you to get the daily question in your messenger? Just click the button below to get started.
as: praise, Prayers, Prayers of thanksgiving and praise, Thanksgiving
Share this post: SU | Reddit | Digg | |
Источник: //www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-prayers-of-thanksgiving-and-praise/
17 Inspiring Psalms of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for family to gather around the table and enjoy a lovely meal filled with turkey, pumpkin pie and cranberries. Before the turkey is carved, the family is welcome to join hands to say a special prayer of thanks for the food before them.
Prayers of gratitude have been around since long before the official Thanksgiving dinner of 1620. During the historic feast, the Pilgrims said a prayer of thanks before beginning their meal with the Wampanoag Native Americans.
The Pilgrims looked to the Bible to express gratitude and thank God for their first harvest.
They were inspired by the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Ingathering of the Israelites and looked upon their harvest, as it is one of the most jubilant feasts still to date.
The history of giving thanks has also attributed to Samuel’s “setting” known as the Ebenezer Stone. The Ebenezer Stone was an artifact to remind the people to be thankful to God during an attack from the Philistines. This is noted in the Bible:
No matter what happens, always be thankful for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Psalms of Thanksgiving
In all early celebrations of thanks, God was at the center.
Across many historic celebrations, the people were thanking God before meals as they believed that all good things came from Him, as followers of the Lord still do today.
With many indications of Thanksgiving in the Bible, we wanted to provide Thanksgiving psalms that you can use at your Thanksgiving feast this year, and for many years to come.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Psalm 105:1-3
I am under vows to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
Psalm 56:12
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116:17
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:1-2
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
Psalm 118:19
I will extol the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
I sing praise to you before the gods.
I face your holy Temple, bow down, and praise your name
because of your constant love and faithfulness,
because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.
Psalm 138: 1-2
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
I will sing the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 7:17
Decorate with Psalms
The Psalms that give thanks to God are a reminder to also give thanks to loved ones who sit beside us at the Thanksgiving feast. Print out all the Psalm wall prints to inspire you and your family to discuss your blessings during a time of thanks!
Thanksgiving Bible Verses
There are many times during the holiday season when we are overwhelmed with tasks and activities and forget to stop and think about why we are celebrating.
During the craziness of the holiday season, take a moment to read these BIble verses to focus on God’s blessing, and share the scriptures with family and friends.
This Thanksgiving, read our prayers to inspire you to discuss your blessings around the table.
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15And them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Jeremiah 30:19
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. 1Corinthians 1:4-5
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:15-16
With the common theme of thanking God at historic celebrations, it is important that we say our blessings before breaking bread and carving the turkey. Try printing these psalms out and framing them as a gift, or hang them in your home using one of our customized frames. They are also great for religious education for the kids to read aloud near the time of Thanksgiving.
Источник: //www.personalcreations.com/blog/psalms-of-thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Prayer – 9 Encouraging and Inspiring Prayers!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and reflect on the blessings of the last year. Many of us experience renewed hope and faith during the Thanksgiving holiday because we turn our eyes onto what is most important.
What if we spent time each day in giving thanks and prayer? How could God grow out faith and trust if we lived a life of thanks through all seasons and not just Thanksgiving time? When your heart is filled with gratitude, there is little room to worry or complain.
We would love to encourage and help you along the way toward greater hope and joy! Below are 9 thanksgiving prayers you can use not only for Thanksgiving day but throughout the year. Start living out the promises of God that Jesus came “that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10.
Prayer 1: A Daily Thanksgiving Prayer
“Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.
Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day.
We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen.”
– Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com Contributor
Prayer 2: A Prayer for a Thankful Heart
“Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in my life. Defeat Him through my sacrifice of praise. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances.
I thank You for… [Name a difficult circumstance in your life presently and thank God for it.]
Jesus, I want to be You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict me whenever I complain or compare myself with others. Give me Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance.
I want to be the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. I choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give praise to Your name (Hebrews 13:15). I long to bring a smile to Your face. Teach me the power of a thankful heart.I know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart.
“I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17-18:1). In Jesus’ name, amen.”
– Debbie Przybylski, Intercessors Arise International
Prayer 3: A Short Prayer of Thanks
“God, sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen.”
– Wendy van Eyck, Contributor
Prayer 4: A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day
Father God, today I thank You for the provisions of my life… I thank You for the people in my life… I thank You for the opportunities You have given to me in my life…
I thank You for the acceptance and forgiveness You have lavished upon me in spite of my sinful actions and choices…
I thank You for the healing You have brought into my life—physical and emotional… I thank You for the way You have brought me back from the darkness that lurks in my soul and the choices I could have made that would have landed me in a pit—or the choices I have made that did land me in a pit…
I thank You for the desires of my heart that You have satisfied with good things…
And the desires that I have not yet seen satisfied. Help me to be confident because of the grace You have given to me in so many others ways, that even my unmet desires would be something I could be grateful for…Amen.
Excerpted with permission from Day 31 of Prayers for Today (Moody Publishers, 2011) by Pastor Kurt Bjorklund.
Prayer 5: A Prayer to Teach Kids Thankfulness
“Lord, I pray that the message of Christ and his sacrifice is the root of gratitude in my heart. That His gracious gift leads me to thankful living, setting an example for my children.
That they will have their own relationship with Jesus one day, and that You would grow gratitude in their hearts the acceptance of Jesus as their Savior.
Lead us to do everything in the name of Jesus and give thanks to You through Him.”
– Marie Osborne, Contributor
Prayer 6: A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
“O Heavenly Father: We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry. We thank Thee for health and remember the sick. We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless. We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service. That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.”
– “Dear Abby” Columnist
Prayer 7: Thanksgiving Song (makes a wonderful prayer!)
“Grateful for each hand we hold Gathered round this table. From far and near we travel home, Blessed that we are able. Grateful for this sheltered place With light in every window, Saying welcome, welcome, share this feast Come in away from sorrow.
Father, mother, daughter, son, Neighbor, friend and friendless; All together everyone in the gift of loving-kindness. Grateful for whats understood, And all that is forgiven; We try so hard to be good, To lead a life worth living. Father, mother, daughter, son, Neighbor, friend, and friendless; All together everyone, let grateful days be endless.
Grateful for each hand we hold Gathered round this table.”
– Mary Chapin Carpenter – Thanksgiving Song Lyrics
Prayer 8: A Prayer of Thanks for Our Many Blessings
“Oh God, You are so good. You are faithful and gracious and You have blessed me beyond measure. Thank you for everyday blessings to which I have become accustomed, but never want to take for granted: clean drinking water, electricity, food in my pantry, hot showers, a roof over my head, and a bed to sleep in.
Thank you for legs that carry me where I need to go and hands that enable me to accomplish many things. Thank you for my hearing and my vision and for a sound, healthy mind.
Thank you my family, my friends, my job, my neighbors. Thank you for freedom to attend my church, for my pastors, and for my small group(s) and my many relationships.
Thank you for the things You are doing in my heart and in my life. I’m grateful that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I am much different today than I was 10 years ago, or a year ago. I am even different that I was at the beginning of this year, and it’s because of Your power at work in me, continually transforming me into Your image.
I love and adore You, Lord, and my heart overflows with gratitude for all these blessings. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”
excerpt from 3 Grateful Prayers to Prepare Your Heart for Thanksgiving by Julie K. Gillies
Prayer 9: 17 Statements of Gratitude
“Thank you, God for the times You have said “no.” They have helped me depend on You so much more. Thank you, God, for unanswered prayer. It reminds me that You know what's best for me, even when my opinion differs from Yours. Thank You, Lord, for the things you have withheld from me. You have protected me from what I may never realize.
Thank You, God, for the doors You have closed. They have prevented me from going where You would rather not have me go. Thank you, Lord, for the physical pain You've allowed in my life. It has helped me more closely relate to Your sufferings on my behalf. Thank you, Lord, for the alone times in my life.
Those times have forced me to lean in closer to You. Thank you, God, for the uncertainties I've experienced. They have deepened my trust in You. Thank You, Lord, for the times You came through for me when I didn't even know I needed a rescue. Thank You, Lord, for the losses I have experienced.
They have been a reminder that You are my greatest gain. Thank You, God, for the tears I have shed. They have kept my heart soft and mold-able. Thank You, God, for the times I haven't been able to control my circumstances. They have reminded me that You are sovereign and on the throne.
Thank You, God, for those people in my life whom You have called home to be with You. Their absence from this earth keeps my heart longing for heaven.
Thank You, God, that I have an inheritance in the heavenly places…something that this world can never steal from me and I could never selfishly squander. Thank You, God, for the greatest gift You could ever give me: forgiveness through Your perfect Son's death on the cross on my behalf. Thank You, God, for the righteousness You credited toward me, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It's a righteousness I could never earn or attain on my own. Thank You, Father, that You know me, You hear me, and You see my tears. Remind me through difficult times that You are God, You are on the throne, and You are eternally good. And thank You, Lord, not only for my eternal salvation, but for the salvation You afford every day of my life as You save me from myself, my foolishness, my own limited insights, and my frailties in light of Your power and strength.”
– Cindy McMenamin, Author
Thanksgiving Prayers from Scripture:
Psalm 95 – “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods…”
Psalm 100 – “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
“
Psalm 118:29 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Psalm 103: 1-5 – “Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed the eagle’s.”
Psalm 136:1-5 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Read more Bible Verses for Thanksgiving at BibleStudyTools.com
Image courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Strength
Prayer for Protection
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
The Prayer of Jabez
Short Prayers
The Lord's Prayer
Serenity Prayer
A Birthday Prayer
Prayer for Forgiveness
Intercessory Prayer
Irish Prayers and Blessings
Advent Prayers
Christmas Prayers
Thanksgiving Prayer
Easter Prayers
Now available is our new Daily Prayer devotional! An easy way to find start your day with prayer, read today’s prayer and sign up to receive by email.
Источник: //www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/7-thanksgiving-prayers-encouraging-and-inspiring.html
Three Prayers of Thanksgiving
the biblical doctrine of the “Fatherhood” of God naturally arises the concept of prayer. What child does not need, and wish, to communicate with his father? Thus, in the “model prayer,” the Lord taught his disciples to pray: “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).
One manifestation of prayer that should flow abundantly from the heart of the Christian is the expression of gratitude. Jesus took note of the opposite disposition when he asked the haunting question: “Where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17).
In this brief article we propose to discuss three “tenses” of thanksgiving. We pray because of exceeding gratitude with reference to things that have gone by already, i.e., matters that now are history.
Quite obviously we wise speak to God relative to circumstances pertaining to the present. Finally, our prayers of gratitude should focus toward the future as well.
We are not without biblical precedent in these past, present, and future time modes in which our appreciation is framed.
Gratitude for the Past
In his epistle to the saints and faithful brethren in the city of Colossae, Paul encouraged his kinsmen in the Lord to join him in:
giving thanks unto the Father, who made us adequate to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who delivered us the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins (Colossians 1:12-14).
This prayer format reflects backwards upon the redemptive history implemented by the holy Godhead in the interest of fallen humanity. Observe the following points.
Our inheritance
We are thankful that we have been made “adequate,” “sufficient,” or “qualified” for a grand “inheritance.” The inheritance finds its ultimate fruition in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). The sufficiency results from the vicarious death of God’s Son who, as a sinless sacrifice, offered himself on behalf of sinful humanity (see Romans 3:24-26).
Our spiritual family
Our thanksgiving embraces the fact that we share a relationship with all the “saints” (separated ones) who have left the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of “light”—an expression for our new “life” in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Peter 2:9). Elsewhere, that entrance into the “kingdom” is represented by the “birth” metaphor (John 3:3-5), which entails obedience to Christ’s gospel message (1 Peter 1:22-23).
Our redemption
We are grateful that our state is one of “redemption” (release from indebtedness due to adequate payment) that involves the “forgiveness of our sins.” How blessed we are that God provided the “Son of his love” for those who deserved it not! Such is the essence of “grace.”
Are we not thankful as well for the Hand of Providence that, in such marvelously inexplicable ways, helped us discover gospel truth? Do not our hearts throb with thanksgiving for those benevolent souls who have encouraged us in difficult times? One could pray for months and not totally survey the blessings of the past for which he is so deeply grateful.
Thanksgiving for Present Circumstances
The Christian’s daily life is an offering of thanksgiving to the Creator. Paul wrote: “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). Every day is an expression of praise to the Lord—in the thoughts of our hearts, the words of our lips, and the actions of our busy days.
Similarly, in the symbolism of sacrificial service, the apostle admonishes:
I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
Our thanksgiving may be daily for those who love us, inspire us, and mean so much to us on our heavenward journey. Paul constantly engaged in prayers of thanksgiving for such ones in his life (cf.
Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 4).
Our thanksgiving certainly must involve appreciation to the Lord, who is with us always (“all the days”—ASVfn), even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Gratitude for the Future Victory
The final book of the New Testament is a document dealing with the past, present, and future.
It was dispatched initially to seven churches of Asia (as representatives of all of Christ’s congregations) by means of John the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of Patmos.
It was from the God of “three tenses”—him who is, was, and is to come (Revelation 1:4,8).
The inspired apostle was commissioned to “write,” therefore, about the things which he “saw, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter” (1:19).Breathtaking scenes adorn the symbolic terrain of this mysterious but thrilling book. In chapter eleven there is a depiction of twenty-four elders (perhaps an order of angels, or a representation of the redeemed), who sit before God on thrones appointed for them. They are described as falling upon their faces and worshiping God. From them issues this prayer of thanksgiving.
We give you thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who was; because you have taken your great power, and did reign.
And the nations were angry, and your wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear your name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth (Revelation 11:17-18).
Some wonderfully striking literary gems are contained within this prayer of gratitude.
Lord God Almighty
God is described as “Lord” (one possessing authority), “God” (characterized by the nature of deity), and “Almighty” (limitless in power).
He is represented as him who “is” and who “was” [the “is to come” phrase (KJV) is missing from the better texts].
The reversal of tenses (with the present preceding the past) seems significant, emphasizing that the present takes precedence in the imagery. The future is depicted as the present already.
Prophetic certainty of victory
The prayer speaks to the coming “time of consummation” (Morris 1980, 153), but the verbal forms (e.g., “your wrath came”) suggest that the events have transpired already.
This is because of their prophetic certainty. God “has taken great power,” the perfect tense form suggests, perhaps, the permanence of the seizure (Robertson 1933, 385).
The Lord has “begun his reign” (the aorist tense is viewed as “inceptive”), i.e., the reign has started (Mounce 1977, 236).
Victory over rebellion
The nations have raged in their angry rebellion against God (cf. Psalm 2:1), but divine anger “trumps” theirs. The “wrath” of God is not an impulsive response, in the sense that humans get “angry.
” Rather, it is a way of figuratively describing the full measure of holy justice to be inflicted upon those who mock the Lord and reject his authority. The last day of earth’s history is portrayed; it is time for the dead to be judged (Revelation 20:11ff).
One scholar observes: “[T]here is nothing here to suggest a thousand years’ earthly reign of Christ on a literal throne in the program” (Jones 1971, 57).
Thanksgiving to God
The prayer expresses thanksgiving to God for the fact that the faithful (the prophets, the saints, all who fear the Lord—great and small) will receive the reward promised to them. Additionally, there will be the destruction of the wicked (i.e., everlasting separation from the Lord—cf.
Matthew 7:23; 25:41; 2 Thessalonians 1:9). These are they who are in the process of “destroying” (corrupting) the earth—i.e., disregarding the design for which it was created, namely serving God.
The imprecatory tone of the gratitude is not one of personal vengeance, but is an offering of appreciation for the righteous eradication of evil.
We too may lift up our voices in devout thanksgiving for the glorious victory yet to be realized, and for the thrilling reward that is prepared for those who have loved Christ’s appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).Let us, therefore, frame our prayers in all tenses—past, present, and future, and be grateful for the gift of prayer as sons and daughters of God.
Источник: //www.christiancourier.com/articles/1369-three-prayers-of-thanksgiving
12 Thanksgiving Prayers for Family, Children & Dinner Times
a printable prayer suitable for personal devotion or for a program or church newsletter:- Here are four great Thanksgiving prayers for before eating:-
O Lord, How full is this world of your unending creativity.
How astounding is creation in all its variety. How breathtaking is new life, growth and transformation. How wonderful is your provision for us your children! This day, we celebrate your great goodness with thankful hearts and joyful lives.Amen.
(a mealtime prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Thanksgiving Prayer 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)
(suitable for a dinner or family time) O Lord, Thank you for all the good gifts you have given us. Thank you for the fine delicate balance of the natural world. Thank you for the amazing variety of fruit seeds and grains. Thank you for the beauty of autumn when the greens turn yellow, gold and crimson. Lord, help us to enjoy this beautiful season, And the wonderful food you have given us.Amen.
www.lords-prayer-words.com
read more grace prayers to say before meal times with your family.
Children and Family Prayers
Three prayers for family & children times together:- Thanksgiving Prayer for Children
(a prayer for young children to say) Lord, thank you for the flowers and thank you for the trees Thank you for my special friends and all the fun they bring Thank you for the food I eat and thank you for my drink But most of all I thank you for the way you love me
(a childrens prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
•read more prayers for children to say here
Thanksgiving Prayer for Children (a prayer for parents) Thank you for our children. Bless them with your love and peace, Protect them with your truth and strength, Engage them with your hope and vision. Thank you for our children.Amen.
(a parents prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Thanksgiving prayer for the family Lord God, I give you all the members of our family. You know them all so well and love them all. I ask that you would cover us with a rainbow of hope. Hope that draws us together to work out our differences. Hope that helps us to celebrate together and care for one another. Hope that rides a banner in our lives and watches over us wherever we go. Hope that overcomes adversity and gathers strength to overcome. Hope that guides us and gives us vision for our future alone and together. Hope filled with love. Hope that fuels faith. Hope that breathes peace. May our family live in you Underneath your promises.Amen.
(a prayer of thanks from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards of thy great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
source: Book of Common Prayer, 1979 version, Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA.
O Lord, that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
William Shakespeare (King Henry VI, Part II. Act I, scene i)
Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks. Thank you for all the graces and blessings. You have betowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the loves we have for one another, our family and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.
(Traditional Catholic Prayer)
A contemporary version of this famous hymn:-
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home; all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin. God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied; come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home. All the world is God's own field, fruit as praise to God we yield; wheat and tares together sown are to joy or sorrow grown; first the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear; Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be. For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home; from the field shall in that day all offenses purge away, giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast; but the fruitful ears to store in the garner evermore. Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring thy final harvest home; gather thou thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin, there, forever purified, in thy presence to abide; come, with all thine angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home.
Lyrics by Henry Alford (1810-1871)
Music by George J. Elvey (1816-1893)
A Simple Prayer of Thanks
Thank you. I dwell upon the goodness in my life. Thank you. I cherish in my heart Your gift to me. Thank you. I notice the blessings of life, breath, loving and sharing. I am so very grateful. Thank you, Lord.
(a simple prayer of thanks from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Источник: //www.lords-prayer-words.com/prayers_before/thanksgiving_prayer_to_god.html
