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.
Psalms 100:4-5 KJV
Below is a Thanksgiving Prayer but before I Pray here are some thoughts on Gratitude
A state of gratitude. To quote the immortal theologians over at veggie tales, "A thankful heart is a happy heart" so we should thank God and others around us everyday. Think back to all the happy people you have meet over the years, without exception they are also grateful people. Now consider all of the unhappy people you have met in your life, they to person where also ungrateful. You could make the argument that this is a coincidental relationship not a causal relationship but it would be an anemic argument at best. Try it out in the lab of your life, get grateful and see if happiness doesn't drop by regularly for a visit at least.
Contentment. "godliness with contentment is great gain was how Paul put it over 2000 years ago but this timeless truth is still a revolutionary reality right now. Contentment doesn't mean that we don't want to better ourselves or out lot rather it is the realization that mere gain will not necessarily mean growth in our level of happiness. So if I can find joy in this moment, even if it is labeled a lack time in my life then I will also be happy if I am granted more. But if I am unhappy in my current situation I will most likely be unhappy even if granted "more".
Dear Father above we are so prone to grumble and quick to complain. Please forgive us and redirect our lips and lives to thanks and praise especially on this day. Today as a nation we collectively gather to remember your goodness to us as a nation and in our lives. This great nation was founded to worship freely and you have blessed us beyond measure. We live in warm houses and have access to transportation.
We want to pause our thanks to petition you to move in our national situation. We ask for Jobs for the unemployed and housing for those who are homeless as well as healing for those who are profoundly sick from this virus and a host of other maladies. Guide out leaders to bring our nation back from the brink. Please awaken us to our need of you as individuals and as a nation.
Thanks for even the hard things in our lives because they force us to grow. Be in a special way with those not able to gather around the family table as they are defending us or keeping us safe and secure, like the military, and first responders. Be with family that have lost loved ones this year we know these holidays can be hard on them, give a peace that passes understanding. Help us all draw close to each other as we be never know how long we are loaned our loved ones. Most of all draw us all close to you we need you so much more than the stuff we will be buying during this next month. Help us find the truth godliness with contentment is great gain.
We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus
Amen.
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