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Thanksgiving Prayer

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On this Thanksgiving Day, let us not forget to start by saying thank you to the Creator and Source of all for which we have to be thankful. Loving God, we thank you for those with whom we spend this day. Thank you for family, friends, and strangers. We thank you for the food we share and remember those who do not have enough to eat. May today’s feast inspire us to share what you have given us with others. As we enjoy a day of relaxation and rest, we ask your blessing on those working today–the people working to keep us safe and healthy, the people working so others can eat, and the people working because they desperately need the money. We pray for families and friend who wish they could be together today. We pray for people who struggle to feel thankful this day. God, we ask that you give us thankful hearts, not just today when it is easy to be thankful, buy everyday. Amen.

Submitted by Rev. Susannah DeBenedetto

POP: Be our Rock

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To you, O Lord, we call out for help,

for you are our rock and our fortress.

Listen to the prayers we raise before you today.

Rescue those who are under the power of injustice and cruelty,

and cleanse our hearts of the desires that do violence against your people.

O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.

Protect and nurture the young,

who are just learning the promise of your constant presence;

keep them safe and cover them with your gracious love.

O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.

Let your mercy surround those who are old,

especially those whose health or mind or family fail them;

let your strength lift them up, and let your praises be on their lips.

O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.

Stand with all who seek to serve you faithfully.

Give them steadfast hope by the power of your Holy Spirit,

and let them celebrate the righteous acts you do through them day after day.

O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.

Reveal yourself in family and community gatherings this week,

that as loved ones gather together for Thanksgiving,

each generation may tell another about the wonders of your love.

Bless and watch over all who travel.

O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.

Revive and comfort those who face trouble and calamity among us,

and let your healing presence be with all who are ill (especially ___).

Bring your people up from the depths, to your honor.

O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.

Show your faithfulness to those who face death or walk in the shadow of grief (especially ___).

Strengthen your people to sing your praises even in the darkness,

and watch over the souls of all who rest in you.

O God our protector: Be our rock of refuge.

God our rock, we call to you now and always,

trusting in the name of Jesus the Christ,

who taught us to pray as we say together:

Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Marion, IA

dedication – these gifts we bring (lyrics)

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Sung to the Tune of “What Child Is This”, this can be used as a doxology during Advent and Christmas. For those worship leaders who prefer to not use Christmas hymns during Advent, maybe this will do as a nice option.

These gifts we joyfully bring to you,
to fill the world with meaning;
our hearts and minds are longing for
the life of which you are dreaming.
This, this our gift we bring,
our lives we share, your praise we sing;
show us your vision, Lord,
for hope, and peace, and caring.

Here is an optional second verse for Communion Sunday:

We gather as one at your table, Lord,
the bread is broken, the wine is poured;
the walls we fashion around us fall,
we’ve dropped our spear and put down our sword;
This, this your gift we share,
you welcome all people from everywhere;
take…eat…remember me,
created…restored…community!

Submitted by Rev. Scott Cervas, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church, (Lexington, KY)

litany for All Saints

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(This prayer is designed to be interspersed with the singing of the verses of “Give Thanks for Those Whose Faith Is Firm,” #731 in Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal or #428 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.)

Let us give thanks to God for all the saints of our lives
and the witness they have shared with us
even as we continue to walk the journey of faith
and make our way to the glory that God is preparing for all of us.

Let us pray.

Eternal God,
our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
we praise you for the saints of all times and places
who have walked the road of faith before us and beside us.
For their witness to your love and their commitment to your justice,
for their trust in your mercy regardless of the circumstance,
we give you thanks and praise.

(verse 1 of “Give Thanks for Those Whose Faith Is Firm”)

God of all creation,
we praise you for all your servants who have witnessed to your truth,
who have shown us your love,
who have inspired us to have hope.
By their example of faith, hope, and love,
remind us of your calling to join in making your new creation real in this world and the next.

(verse 2)

God of grace and peace,
we praise you for women and men and children
who reflect your love into our world.
Guide us to continue their faithful work
as we too walk in the light of your love.

(verse 3)

God of all saints,
today we especially remember the saints from among this community who have departed our company over the past year.
We thank you for the faithful witness of N. and N.,
for their courage amidst strife
and their hope in the face of death.
We remember so many other saints who have walked this road with us,
whom we name before you aloud or in silence:
Continue to inspire us by their faithful witness,
that we too might join in bringing your justice, mercy, and peace to our world.

(verse 4)

Eternal God,
as we walk this pilgrim way,
make our faith firm,
our hope clear,
and our love pure,
that we might join the saints of all the ages in praise eternal,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

POP: we seek your mercy

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Have mercy on us, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

cleanse this world and all our lives,

that we might shine with the glory of your love.

We call for your mercy in our own lives,

for forgiveness of what we have done or left undone

that violates your image in every human life.

O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We call for your mercy on those from whom we are estranged,

by our own fault or despite our deepest hopes,

that your reconciliation may bind us together again.

O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We call for your mercy on all who seek your truth,

that the seeds of wisdom would take root in every heart,

and that knowledge would bring joy and gladness.

O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We seek your mercy on those whose hearts fail them –

or their minds, their joints, their balance, their health –

that your healing power would be with them and restore them to life.

O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We seek our mercy on this church,

that we would be strengthened in love for one another

and for all your people,

united in service and understanding.

O God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We seek your mercy on all your world, in every part of our lives,

calling upon your grace in Jesus’ name,

for we pray together in him, saying:

Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Marion, IA