Sunday Praise and a Prayer of Thanksgiving

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you.  We praise you for your sovereignty and your holiness. We praise you because you are worthy of all praise. 

Father, we always give you thanks, but during this week when we’ll stop for a day to observe all we have to be thankful for, before the turkey and the stuffing and the pie, we want to honor and bless you by thanking you for all you are and all you’ve done for us. 

For many it may be difficult to see what there is to be thankful for. Father, give us hearts that are softened toward you and willing to be thankful, even as a sacrifice to you. We pray that throughout the week you would put on our hearts all we have to be grateful for, for every good gift that’s come from you. 

Thank you for Jesus and for His sacrifice on the cross that paid for our sins, that He took the punishment that should have been ours. We are deeply and eternally thankful, Lord. 

Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who indwells us and leads us, teaches us, comforts us, strengthens us and fills us with your peace that passes all understanding. 

Thank you for calling us your children and providing us with everything we need. Thank you for being with us at all times, never leaving or forsaking us, but constantly shining your light and joy into our lives, especially when it seems as though the world around us is falling apart.  

Thank you for your faithfulness to keep every one of your promises, like preparing a home for us with you. 

Thank you for the people you’ve placed in our lives, for their love, the spiritual fellowship we share, and the friendship we enjoy. 

Thank you for every big thing and every small thing we can sometimes overlook in the busyness of our lives. 

Thank you for the sun and moon, clouds and rain, breezes and fresh air, flowers and trees, lakes and oceans, sunrises and sunsets, and even for the pets that make us smile. 

Thank you for blessing us so abundantly. 

And Lord, thank you for prayer. Thank you for allowing us, through Jesus, to come before you with every need, every desire, every fear, every hope, and for hearing us when we do, and for answering us according to your perfect will.  

Thank you, Father. Help us to be a people who are always mindful of your blessings and overflowing with thanksgiving. 

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.