In his letter to the Church in Thessalonica, Paul writes: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5:18. On this Thanksgiving, we are reminded to give thanks to God in good times and in bad times because God makes all things work together for good. Rom. 8:28. In the midst of the meals and football, take a moment to give God thanks for all things. Give thanks for those who love you and those you love. Give thanks for everyone who has touched your life and for the all lives that you have touched. Give thanks for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who has redeemed us and given us the victory.
Let us pray: Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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