WHAT THANKS GIVING MEANS TO ME
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The "Thanksgiving Holiday" ushers in my very favorite time of year because these days are taken to put hectic schedules to rest and give thought to those people, places and things we are trully grateful for on the journey of a lifetime. Even if the year has been less than golden in our assesment we now have an opportunity to practice the art of appreciation and thank-full-ness. I personally begin Thanksgiving Day with "My Things I'm Gratefull For List". I might start a simple little list with just one thing I'm grateful for such as:
01-A good night's rest...
02-A Sun shiny morning in the yard, garden, beach or park... or
03-Someone or something I'm looking forward to seeing or doing on this day.
I can start the "My Thankfull List" with something as basic as giving thanks for a roof over my head or as elaborate as writing out the most meaningful transformations that have occured within my heart and mind during the course of the year. The "My Thankfull List" can consist of a single person, event or thing I'm grateful for and "I carry the list in my pocket" throughout Thanksgiving Day and add to it as the day unfolds. At the end of Thanksgiving Day I unfold the list, look it over and silently offer up a prayer of thanks for those single things I've listed which include the people, events and things I've lsited as being thankful for. I often keep "My Thankful List" with me for days, weeks and even months and add to it as the year unfolds until I run into some personal or global disappointment that brings me down. Then I carefully unfold the list and it always lifts my sprit. I do forget some times and need to be reminded as many of us do that, we have at least one thing if not many things to be grateful for. I hope one or more of the Thanksgiving Day Celebration ideas offered here may help you to celebrate you're most blessed Thanksgiving ever...
God Bless You and Your's, Michael AngelOh
FAVORITE THANKSGIVING DAY QUOTATIONS
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Throughout our history we have had many wonderful reminders of the meaning and purpose of Thanksgiving Day. Some of these reminders are posted by a few of our early Pioneers, founding Fathers and Anonomous Citizens:
"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving..?"
~1981 Erma Bombeck, "No One Diets on Thanksgiving"
"The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings..!"
~~Henry Ward Beecher
"It has been an unchallengeable American doctrine that cranberry sauce, a pink goo with overtones of sugared tomatoes, is a delectable necessity of the Thanksgiving board and that turkey is uneatable without it."
~Alistair Cooke
"Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings."
~J. Robert Moskin
"There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American."
~O. Henry
"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."
~Theodore Roosevelt
"Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day."
~Robert Caspar Lintner
"Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence."
~Erma Bombeck
"An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day."
~Irv Kupcinet
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"All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill... there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings..."
~1620 Governor William Bradford leader of the Pilgrim Colony
"That with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God..."
~1777 Congress of the United States first National Thanksgiving Proclamation
"Our duty as a people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God, and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experienced..."
~January 1, 1795 George Washington first United States President set aside Thursday, the 19th day of February, 1795 as a National Day of Thanksgiving
"Announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, by the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people..."
~October 3, 1863 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed, by Act of Congress, an annual National Day of Thanksgiving "on the last Thursday of November, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens
"Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light..! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude..!"
~Henry Ward Beecher
"If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is 'Thank You', that would suffice..."
~Meister Eckhart
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them..."
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
"Praise is the best auxiliary to prayer; and he who most bears in mind what has been done for him by God will be most emboldened to supplicate fresh gifts from above..."
~Henry Melville
"Our Creator shall continue to dwell above the sky, and that is where those on earth will end their Thanksgiving..."
~Seneca
"So it is that on Thanksgiving Day each year, we give thanks to Almighty God for all His blessings and mercies shown to us not just on the good days or the Thanksgiving days, but every day of every year in our lives..."
~Michael AngelOh
"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude..."
~E. P. Powell
"Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends..."
~Courtland Milloy
"It is delightfully easy to thank God for the grace we ourselves have received, but it requires great grace to thank God always for the grace given to others..."
~James Smith
"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live..."
~Jackie Windspear
"If we meet someone who owes us thanks, we right away remember that. But how often do we meet someone to whom we owe thanks without remembering that..?"
~Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
FAVORITE THANKSGIVING DAY POEMS
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No longer forward nor behind,
I look in hope or fear.
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here...
~John Greenleaf Whittier
So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart...
~John Greenleaf Whittier
Our rural ancestors, with little blest,
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulged the day that housed their annual grain,
With feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain.
~Alexander Pope
He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd
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
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee..!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert
Some hae meat and canna eat, -
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
~Robert Burns
Ah! on Thanksgiving day....
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lips and what brightens the eye..?
What calls back the past, like the rich pumpkin pie..?
~John Greenleaf Whittier | |
FAVORITE THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYERS
from Around the World
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Many diverse cultures throughout the centuries have given thanks for many different reasons and although they may differ in their outward expression they all essentially celebrate gratefulness for life's blessings. Thanksgiving has always been a special day for me to give thanks for the things I'm most grateful for in life so I thought it might be most meaningful on this special holyday to share "Family Favorite Thanksgiving Day Prayers" from around the World. The wonderous ways people from many diverse cultures and backgrounds have unified throughout the centuries through prayer and giving thanks has trully been an inspiration to me. I hope you'll agree.
This is the prayer that my dear old Dad would usually initiate with all family members holding hands. Since his passing in 1997 my beloved Mother does us the honor before Thanksgiving and most other meals.
Bless us, oh Lord,
for these thy gifts,
which we are about to receive.
From thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Martin-Franchini Family
We give thanks to God for our turkey and dressing,
for without Him there would be no blessing.
We give thanks to God for bringing our families together,
for we are creating memories that will last forever.
We give thanks to God for the freedom to pray,
for we know one day it could be taken away.
We give thanks to God that we will all be here next year,
for celebrating the holiday with love and cheer. Amen
St Martin-Gosselin Family
Moravian Blessing
Come, Lord Jesus, our guest to be,
And bless these gifts bestowed by Thee.
And bless our loved ones everywhere,
And keep them in Your loving care.
We Gather Together Hymn
We gather together to ask the Lord�s blessing.
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine.
So from the beginning the fight we were winning.
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine..!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant.
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation.
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free..!
-Adrianus Valerius -Theodore Baker (translator)
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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
We Give Thanks
Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure,
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food.
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life.
The freedom to enjoy it all.
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength,
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.
-Harry Jewell
Help Me Thanksgiving Day Prayer
O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry.
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless.
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all.
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer.
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency.
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help.
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.
-Samuel F. Pugh
Thanksgiving Dinner Prayer
Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day.
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You�ve done.
Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see.
For joy and health, friends and family.
For daily provision, Your mercy and care.
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise.
With a promise to follow You all of our days.
-Mary Fairchild
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A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Lord, so often times, as any other day.
When we sit down to our meal and pray.
We hurry along and make fast the blessing.
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing.
We�re slaves to the olfactory overload.
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold.
But Lord, I�d like to take a few minute more.
To really give thanks to what I�m thankful for.
For my family, my health, a nice soft bed.
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head.
I�m thankful right now to be surrounded by those.
Whose lives touch me more than they�ll ever possibly know.
Thankful Lord, that You�ve blessed me beyond measure.
Thankful that in my heart lives life�s greatest treasure.
That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place.
And I�m ever so grateful for Your unending grace.
So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You�ve provided.
And bless each and every person invited. Amen..!
-Scott Wesemann
Abundant Blessing
We thank you for the turkey,
The gravy and the dressing.
Dear Lord, this table overflows,
With Thy abundant blessing.
Let us always be aware,
That all gifts come from You.
And may we serve Your heavenly will,
In everything we do. Amen.
-Joanna Fuchs
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God.
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise.
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
his mercy is everlasting.
and his truth endureth to all generations.
-Psalm 100 The Holy Bible
Bless this food to our use
and Us to thy service. Amen
taught to our family by The Rev. Wal
My mother found this somewhere along her journeys and taught it to my brother and me. She said it was well-known and wherever she found it's lost to the ages). We claim none of the original artistic nor poetic inspiration but find it to be a nice pause before meals. If someone does know its origin, we would love to credit the source accurately. I memorized this in early college days and use it when someone asks for an unusual grace.
For sun and rain, for fruit and grain,
For friends we love so dearly.
For gentle moments and kindly hearts,
We thank thee, Lord, sincerely. Amen
Swift Family
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God is great, God is good,
Let us thank Him for this food. Amen
Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything. Amen
Our table graces in childhood
Here's a little prayer that came through quite spontaneously a few Happy Thanksgiving's ago.
Blessed Be Me
Blessed Be You
Blessed Be the things,
we Think, Say and Do.
Here and in the Here After... Amen
~Michael AngelOh
God, shower blessings on every needy person,
on every sick, and free us from bondage of fear.
God, we especially pray for American people
who are using thy gifts for others.
Help us to remember the good things, God.
To name them, to savor them, and to be thankful to You. Amen
Glassmire Family
This prayer was made by me. Two people are selected to read from a paper given to them. They will take turns at alternating sentences.
Holy Father,
We gather together to ask
your blessing this Thanksgiving Day
God bless America, land that I love
You stand beside us in times of need,
as on September 11, giving Peace and Love to all
Stand beside her and guide her,
through the night with the Light from above
Your handiworks are our home
where warm loving hearts
of family ties are brought together
From the mountains, to the prairies,
to the ocean white with foam
We raise our voices in praise to you
through Christ our Lord. Amen
Joseph Gathia Family
I was taught this prayer when I was a child and it was already old by then. I know it is several generations old.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for this food.
Bless us all.
Keep us from harm.
Guide and direct us,
through all the way. Amen
Barbara Hawkey Family
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As we bow our head
And hold each other's hand,
We listen for the returning peace
That surrounds our festive table.
The silence is so present
That it's loud with serene joy.
The warming skin reaches our heart
And recalls of Mother-love.
The prayer ends...
We don't want it to end. Amen
Tomasello Family
This is a Boy Scout Grace. ( raiment means clothing )
For food, for raiment,
For life, for opportunity,
For friendship, and fellowship,
We thank thee o' Lord. Amen
And this is an Irish Grace.
Bless us O' Lord as we sit together.
Bless the food we eat this day.
Bless the hands that made the food.
Bless us O' Lord. Amen
J. David Boyd Family
Thank you Lord for the food we receive
and for the Sun and rain that helped it grow.
Thank you Lord for happiness
from the sharing and caring you show. Amen
Jim, NJ
My Pappa Goodyear used to say this at each and every meal. I will never forget it.
Heavenly Father, Forgive us of our sins, and make us thankful for these and all other blessings. In Jesus name, Amen (and everyone says Amen)
Holland Family
In my own family we take turns with a verse like this:
God is Great
God is Good (My son)
Let us Thank Him for our Food (My daughter)
By his hand we are fed (me, Mom)
Thank you Lord for our daily bread (husband, aka Dad) Amen ( everyone saids Amen" together and squeezes hands )
This came from my great-grandfather's family.
Good and Gracious Lord,
Give us true and and thankful hearts
for the many blessings we are about to receive.
In Jesus name, Amen
The Goodyear Family
When my children, nephew and nieces were little (just starting to put sentences together) they always wanted to say grace before any meal. We gave them a very simple grace that is used today at all our meals.
Thank you God, For this food,
our family, and friends,
and all that you do. Amen
Nordan-Deese Family
I saved this from an Ann Landers column years ago. She ran it each Thanksgiving and I think it's timeless."
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
Connor Family
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Thank you, God, for the birds that sing, the family that we love, and the food that we eat. Please be with those who are hungry and those who suffer. Thank you. Amen
N. Mims
God, We Thank You
God, we thank you for this wonderful food in front of us.
God, we thank you for bringing all of us together again.
God, we thank you for all of the things you do for all of us.
God, we thank you for watching over us from above, everyday.
God, we thank you most of all for the wonderful life
that you have given all of us.
We pray for all the people of the world.
God, thank you. Amen
Alexandra and Kristina
Here is a grace I wrote for Thanksgiving several years ago. I have used it every year since then and the family seems to like it.
Great Creator Spirit of Life,
Help us understand the need for the sacrifice of life for the sustenance of life. Make sacred the use of these your plants and animals so that we might have life not only in the flesh but also in spirit.
Thank you for that gift of life and keep us ever aware of our debts. Help our farmers and gardeners find loving, kind ways to produce the fruits, grains, vegetables and animals that we use.
Keep us from the misuse of your good creation and lead us to wisdom, kindness, justice, and mercy. For we pray in the name of Your Child, our brother Jesus, Mary's boy, whom we recognize a You With Us. Amen
D'Alessandro Family
My fourth grade teacher taught me this prayer. I will probably teach it to my children someday.
For these and all thy gifts of love,
We give Thee thanks and praise.
Look down dear Father from above,
And bless us all our days. Amen
Janet E. Brown
My mom taught me a very nice prayer when I was small and now even my grandchildren utter the same words.
Thank you Lord for the day so Bright
Thank you Lord for the food so Nice
Thank you Lord for Everything. Amen
Julia McLean
We in the Anglican Church of Canada often say "The Primate's Grace"
(the Primate is the senior bishop of the Anglican Church of Canada)"
For food in a world where many walk in hunger
For friends in a world where many walk alone
For faith in a world where many walk in fear
We give you thanks, O Lord. Amen
Richelle Bharwani, Jakarta, Indonesia
We have a grace that was always said at my mother's table when she grew up and is now said at her grandchildren's tables, still going strong four generations later. I have no idea where it came from but a family meal wouldn't be right without it. Our family always added, And please watch after us all. Amen. after the main part much to the consternation of our cousins who didn't say it at their house. My brother's family who are Roman Catholic start with the Sign of the Cross and then say it. A great adaptation of their father's tradition and their mother's tradition.
God, bless this food which now we take,
to do us good for Jesus' sake. Amen
Rob Towler
I have a couple of different graces that our family uses. The first is a Swedish grace and the second is a Moravian grace from our Moravian church.
In Jesus name to the table we go.
God bless the food we receive.
To God the honor, to us the gain,
so we have food in Jesus' name. Amen
Susan Naylor
Come Lord Jesus our guest to be
and bless these gifts bestowed by thee.
Bless our loved ones everywhere
and keep them in your loving care. Amen
Moravian Grace
Our family has been saying this Grace before meals for over twenty years. I like it because it was easily understood by all of the children and expressed thanks for the people and natural gifts that God gives us.
God, we thank you for this food,
For rest and home and all things good.
For wind and rain and sun above,
And most of all, for those we love. Amen
Kenneth R. Magar Family
This has been a favorite at our home for quite some time. It seems to say it all.
Our Father in Heaven,
For this meal you have given
We want to say thank you from our hearts.
Bless the ones who prepared it
And Lord as we share it
Will you stay with us
And be our guest of Honor. Amen
The Hayden Family
Dear Father, we pray for peace
Dear Father, we pray for love
At this time I ask you please
to help us from your Kingdom up above. Amen
Brent and Jan Hays
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This is the traditional family grace of the extended Prickett-Miller family. All join hands around the table.
God is great, God is good
Let us thank him for our food.
God bless those of our loved ones
who are absent from us. Amen
( Amen said loudly while squeezing the hands you hold )
Alex
In 1931, I was graduated from Northfield Seminary (now Northfield Mount Herman School) in East Northfield, Massachusetts. This is a grace that we frequently said in unison before meals.
Northfield Blessing
We thank thee, Lord, for this our food,
For health and strength and every good.
Let manna to our souls be given,
The Bread of Life sent down from heaven. Amen
Virginia M. Ambler
This grace was said 365 days a year throughout my entire childhood. It was always said by my Dad but now, as he has passed on, when the family gathers together, it falls to me and I'm honoured.
The NYE Family Grace
For every comfort we enjoy
For food before us set
We thank Thee Father...
Through Thy love
Our needs are always met..! Amen
Florence Porter Winters
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Lord, thank you for this Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for all the many many blessings you bestow on us each and everyday. Thank you for the little things we over look from day to day. Lord, I pray you feed the ones today less fortunate. Draw up real close to them and let them know how very precious you are. I pray Lord, for the ones who are down and out today. Lord, put your loving arms around them and draw them up close to you and show them your love. Thank you for each one around this table Lord, and thank you Lord for the ones who prepared this food. In your loving name. Amen
Sylvie Hanna
My grandmother taught this grace to us when we were very small. My brother and sisters and cousins and I are all now passing this tradition on by teaching it to the next generation of children in our family. It is a wonderful legacy that will go on and on! Thank you Bama..!
God thou giver of all that is good,
we thank thee for this food.
Bless it to our use, in Jesus name. Amen
Ann Graham Family
This is the prayer we used in our household growing up and probably the one I will teach my children one day.
God is great, God is good
Let us thank you for our food
By his hands we all are fed
give us lord our daily bread. Amen
Cheryl Dukes
Here's a blessing the host used to say every day on a local LA kids show in the late 1960's.
God is great, God is good.
Thank you for our daily food.
Bless us even as we pray.
Guide and keep us through this day. Amen
Joe and Caroline Floyd
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My grandfather taught me this grace when I was very young. It was one of his favorites. Now my children love to say it.
Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for the birds that sing
thank you God for everything. Amen
Vince Contreras
My husband has be saying this grace since he came home from kindergarten. Do you think the teachers will ever know what an impact they make on our children's lives..?
God you made the great wide world,
The Earth and sky and mountains tall,
The flying bird's and swimming fish,
Oh God we thank you for them all. Amen
Michele DeRoche Family
Oh the Lord is good to me.
So I thank him for giving me the things I need
The sun, and the rain and the apple tree.
The Lord is good to me..! Amen
Marcy
Here is the prayer that I wrote for my child as soon as he was old enough to begin reciting. It's been a special part of our family for ten years now, and I'd like to share it with your readers.
Thank you, God, for this nice day;
Bless our food, our work, our play. Amen
The Wilson Family
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We used this a lot when we were kids, I think from Brownies.
Johnny Appleseed
The Lord is good to me
and so I thank the Lord
For giving me
the things I need
The sun and the rain
and the appleseed
The Lord is good to me. Amen
( note: This prayer is from the 1948 Disney movie "Melody Time" and was sung in the film by Dennis Day who was the voice of Johnny Appleseed )
Jennifer Miller
A special favorite of six-year-old Nicole.
Dear God,
Thank you for everything.
You know that we love you
and say prayers when we meet up with our families.
We love you so much we want to thank you for Thanksgiving. Amen
My father (now deceased) taught this to his Christian and Jewish grandchildren when they were very little. Whenever we pray it we remember his loving care and guidance in bringing different faiths in our family together.
We thank you, Lord,
for happy hearts,
for rain and sunny weather;
we thank you for the food we eat,
and that we are together. Amen
Patterson Family
The Bower Family has enjoyed these for many years. Penned by Dad, now Grandpa Bob, as my husband and sister-in-law were children. Our rule is you can't wear out just one. We take turns each evening saying grace and choose from the following:
For food, for friends, for happiness we give our thanks to Thee,
And pray that other families may be as blessed as we.
We thank you God, that we're alive and for this food we eat.
Forgive our sins and guard us too, and please God keep us sweet!
For all we eat, for all we wear, for all the good things everywhere,
Father in Heaven we thank thee. Amen
Bender Family
Thank you Lord Jesus for you forgive us each and every day.
Thank you for those loving arms that take our hurts away.
Thank you for the time you hung on that cross alone,
because of the love for all of us, one day we will all be welcome home.
There is no thanks great enough that could pass from cheek to tongue,
but may our thanks be heard in heaven every time your praise is sung. Amen
The Bower Family, Joan, Robert, and Amanda
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Our Precious Heavenly Father,
Please bless the bounty that has been prepared before us.
Bless those who are with us today and those who are not.
Thank you Lord for all the many blessings that you have so graciously bestowed upon us.
Thank you for giving your life so that we may have life.
Father bless those who are less fortunate,
Bless the children for they are our future,
Bless our elders for they are our history.
For all of this I ask in you Holy name. Amen
Bonnie Frederick
Our preschooler says this at his school.
Thank you God for blue skies over me,
Green grass under me,
Good friends beside me.
Thank you God for good food in front of me
And peace all over the world. Amen
Leslie Chesney
My daughter applied this psalm to mealtime when she was seven.
O, Lord God almighty,
Who is like you?
You are mighty O, Lord,
And your faithfulness surrounds you..!
God Bless Us..! Amen
The Claussen Family
This has been our family's special prayer since my Mom and I found it on a poster nearly 15 years ago. It has been framed and hanging in my now 6 ft. tall son's room since he was a toddler. The poster says the author is anonymous.
Thank you, Lord, for each new day you give to me,
For earth and sky and sand and sea,
For rainbows after springtime showers,
Autumn leaves and summer flowers,
Winter snowscapes so serene,
Harvest fields of gold and green,
Beauty shining all around,
Lilac scent and robin sound,
Stars that twinkle high above
And all the people that I love. Amen
The Claussen Family
This prayer is old and widely used... our family always said it, and our church sometimes sang it to the tune of Old Hundredth.
Be present at our table, Lord;
be here, and everywhere adored;
Thy mercies bless and grant that we
may feast in fellowship with Thee. Amen
And an all time favorite of mine has been one that I happened to find many years ago in a Reader's Digest. I am sorry that I do not know who originally submitted it, but I do understand that if you use something with any regularity, after a period of time it becomes yours to claim.
Almighty God,
Thy Will,
Nothing More,
Nothing Less,
Nothing Else..! Amen
Jani, Mike and Chris Kennedy
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Come, Lord Jesus,
Be our guest,
And let Thy gifts to us
Be blest. Amen
Henry M. Willits
This little blessing was taught to my children many years ago by a Rev. Charlie Hopla from England.
Bless the food upon the dishes
as you blessed the loaves and fishes.
As the sugar hides in the tea,
let me hide myself in Thee. Amen
Kurt Schmeiser Family
I received this prayer from
Father Flanagan's Boys Home in Girls and Boys Town, Nebraska a few years ago. It doesn't mention who the author was. I take the liberty to edit it to fit my personal occasion. Here is how it was sent from Boy's Town.
A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
LORD, We humbly ask thy blessing on the turkey and the dressing, on the yams and cranberry jelly, and on the pickles from the deli.
Bless the apple pie and tea, bless each and every calorie. Let us enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, tomorrow we can all get thinner.
For all Thy help along the way, we're thankful this Thanksgiving Day. We're thankful, too, for all our dear ones, for all the far away and near ones.
Although we may be far apart, we're together in my heart.
Keep us in Thy loving care,
this is my Thanksgiving prayer.
P.S. Anyone who wishes may help with the dishes. Amen
Anne Ingram
Father Flanagan's Boy's Town, submitted by Ron
The eyes of all look to you, Lord.
You give us our food when we need it.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
(Psalm 145:15-16)
J. Doug O'Shell and Family
Here's a little prayer that came through quite spontaneously a few Happy Thanksgiving's ago.
Blessed Be Me
Blessed Be You
Blessed Be the things,
we Think, Say and Do.
Here and in the Here After... Amen
Wishing you, you're Family and Friends,
the most Joyful and Blessed of all ThanksGiving Holydays...
God Bless You, Michael AngelOh
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NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN THANKSGIVING PRAYER
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The First Native Americans even in prehistoric times, observed many rituals and ceremonies to express gratitude to a higher power for life itself. A Seneca American Indian ritual, for example, states:
"Our Creator shall continue to dwell above the sky, and this is where those on the earth will end their thanksgiving..."
Another quotation of the American Indians from a time well before the Europeans came to know about America reads as follows:
"The plant has its nourishment from the earth and its limbs go up this way, in praise of its Maker, like the limbs of a tree..."
Native American Indian Thanksgiving Prayer
O Great Spirit,
Now that I am about to eat
Give my thanks to the beasts and birds
whom You have provided for my hunger
and pray deliver my sorrow that living things
must make a sacrifice for my comfort and well-being.
Let the feather of corn spring up in its time
and let it not wither but make full grains
for the fires of our cooking pots
now that I am about to eat.
In the light of September 11 events, we are making a special thanks giving to the Lord as well as to the people of America who are fighting against terror. Praise God form whom all blessings Flow. We have many things to be thankful for, God, and sometimes we remember them and at times we forget. When something large or small goes wrong, it fills our mind. And we forgot those things which thou has showered upon us. |
(click on image to enlarge)
The Lord's Prayer
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The Lord's Prayer is considered to be the model of all prayer that Jesus taught us during his "Sermon on the Mount". It is recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke and is presented here in it's traditional language translation.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory.
For ever and ever... Amen
Prayer of Saint Francis
(click on image to enlarge)
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Saint Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in the year 1182. Like many other Saints throughout history, Saint Francis committed his life to God, lived a very simple life of poverty rich in Spiritual Prayer and Devotion. St Francis gained a reputation of being the friend of animals and is often pictured with a bird perched upon his hand or a dear standing by his side. He established the Monastic Order of St. Francis, or as they are known today; "The Franciscans". St. Francis died in the year 1226 at the age of 44.
Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow Love.
where there is injury, Pardon.
where there is doubt, Faith.
where there is despair, Hope.
where there is darkness, Light.
where there is sadness, Joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek,
to be consoled as to Console.
to be understood as to Understand.
to be loved as to Love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life...
Visit our extended site of
"Thanksgiving Prayers from Around the World"
Wishing you, you're Family and Friends,
the most Joyful and Blessed of all Thanks Giving Holydays...
God Bless You, Michael AngelOh
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How to Pray each Day
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Prayer has been more recently defined as the time one takes talking to God whereas Meditation has been described as time taken listening to God. I like to incorporate both these pricipals to create a "Prayer-Meditation Combination". Then there is time to talk to God, listen to God, and most importantly, time to become aware of the presence of God in you're Life.
Review some of the many prayers posted on this "Prayer Healing Website". You might accompany your Prayer time with some gentle sacred or relaxing music to enhance your Prayer atmosphere. Be aware of you're Breathing and simply notice how you're feeling. Prayer can include direct mindfull intentions for Peace, Joy, Resolution and of course Love... If you can begin to feel such things during you're Prayertime then you are beginning to feel the presence of God and a natural desire to expand this experience will ensue.
Here are a few things to keep in mind and heart as you say the prayers posted on our "Global Prayer Healing Circle" website :
Surrender your problem whole heartedly to God.
Remain Open and Humble with each and every breath you take.
Forgive all who have purposely or unintentionally hurt you.
Believe... You can be healed. Have faith. Release doubt.
Give Thanks to God for every good thing no matter how small.
Quiet the mind and Open the heart as you Pray.
Scheduling Prayer Time
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Scheduling time for Prayer is no different than scheduling any other activity with the exception that Prayer may have a profound effect on how the rest of you're scheduled appointments work out. That's another way of saying "Prayer makes a difference" and can influence your thoughts, words and actions each and every day. If you have a Schedule or Appointment Book why not write in an appointment for Prayer. Your allocated "Time for Prayer" can be anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes or longer in length and you can start to think of this time as your appointment with God or your Higher Power. If you can get up 15-20 minutes earlier in the morning, the quiet time before the day's activity is one of the best times for Prayer. If this is not possible then as little as 5 minutes during a daily break or lunch period at work can work. If these options aren't applicable then evening Prayer before you go to sleep is another of my favorite times for Prayer. I reflect upon the day and pray for deeper understanding and guidance to make the next day even better and brighter. I actually prefer the early Morning and Evening Prayer Time combination. Start simple and stay focused and you're Prayer Time will expand naturally.
You're "Prayer Time" can be "Simple Quiet Time" where you just "Sit Still" and "Breathe" or it can be a time for asking questions and staying silently receptive to answers and guidance. If you're not quite sure how to start this special appointment you can certainly chose from any one of the many Prayers on this page, print it out and simply read it aloud or silently during your "Prayer Time Appointment" each day.
Join us in Prayer to Heal the World
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This website is dedicated to the memory to all the faithfully departed Souls of past, future & current generations who are in the process of there earthly translations and heavenly ascensions... I call upon all the Angel's of Mercy and Compassion to welcome them home... Please join with me in lighting a candle for them each day and may they rest in everlasting peace...
Amen...
HOW TO SAY HAPPY THANKSGIVING IN HAWAIIAN
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Happy Thanksgiving ~ Hau�oli La Ho�omakika�i
(pronounced: how-oh-lee la ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee)
Thanksgiving Day ~ La Ho�omaika�i
(pronounced: la ho-o-my-ka-ee)
Thankful ~ Ho�omakika�i
(pronounced: ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee)
Thank You Very Much ~ Mahalo Nui Loa
(pronounced: ma-ha-low new-ee low-a)
With My Love ~ Me Ke Aloha
(pronounced: may kay a-low-ha)
Holiday Celebration ~ Lanui Ho�olaule�a
(pronounced: la-new-ee ho-o-lau-lay-a)
Family ~ Ohana
(pronounced: oh-ha-nah)
Close Friend ~ Hoa Pili
(pronounced: ho-ah-pee-lee) |
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THANKSGIVING DAY LINKS
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The Holidays are also a time to remember those who are less fortunate. This year, millions of Americans will turn to food banks. You can help others have a happier holiday by making a donation to a food bank or volunteering your time. This is a true gift that can give you're holidays ever so much more meaning this year.
At Feeding America, you can find volunteer opportunities in your area. You can also learn how to make a financial donation if you wish to bless others in this way. Your help will make this holiday season a little brighter for others and fulfill you're contribution to the Reason for the Season...
HELP TO FEED THE HUNGRY IN AMERICA |
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Many of these Music tracks may even be downloaded directly to your Computer Hard Drive for your listening pleasure at your selected time. A Software Program to complete this type of download is required. We offer a number of "Free Music Player" and "Free Media Player" options for you as follows:
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