As we take time to celebrate Thanksgiving Day all over the United States and for Americans in various parts of the world, please allow me to both thank you and pray for you. Thank you for trusting me to walk along in life with you through this blog. Your notes, questions, and comments bless me. Further, it is a privilege to be invited through the written word to speak into your world. I have needed this regular time to get together and share time together as it relates to living life for the glory of God this year like none other since this blog started. I’m grateful for all those writers who have written on these pages as well for our benefit.
Today, possibly many of us are in situations much different than normal. This year has created unique opportunities for most of us. If things are fairly normal where you are, that is exciting for you. If they are different, as is the case for so many, I hope you take the moment to embrace the differences and enjoy this beautiful holiday anyway. On this Thanksgiving Day, please let me pray for you.
A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Our Father in Heaven,
All our thanks begin with You today. We recognize that 2020 like no other year globally has brought strains and hardships on so many. Yet, You remain faithful through it all. In this year we call 2020, You have neither slumbered or slept. Instead, You have provided us grace equal to the challenging days we have lived. For this, we are so grateful. Although our pressures have been immense, Your grace has been more powerful. Thank You.
We would lie to infer that we understand Your plan through all of this. However, we rejoice that You are a Wonderful Planner, a gracious God, and trustworthy. As our Father, You watch over us, protect us, have our best interest at heart, and guide us toward Christlikeness. No doubt, at some point soon, You will shepherd us into Your presence. Until then, we strive to trust You in all our circumstances.
Thank you for the person and work of Jesus Christ. Thank you for our salvation. We needed rescuing, forgiveness, and eternal help. You gave us all those things in Christ plus so much more. The Spirit, Your Word, the Gospel, the body of Christ, the local church, our position in Christ, Your presence, and fellowship with you and each other only begin to scratch the service for things in which we are grateful.
For our readers this day I pray. Some of them today experience pain, suffering, uncertainty, and possibly indecision like never before.
For those who have suffered the loss of family members and friends, we ask for You to provide them the comfort of Your presence today.
We think of those who for a variety of reasons have had to quarantine for days, weeks, and months. No doubt they may be lonely today and filled with concern, anxiety, or fear, I ask that You would grant them the comfort of Your control and protection.
For those who have lost jobs, businesses, or life savings, I pray that today You would grant them the joy of Your presence and salvation as those things which cannot be taken away. Thank You for providing in so many creative and personal ways throughout this time.
For those who are downhearted, struggling, and discouraged today, please lift their spirits by Your Spirit. I ask that You would help them rest in You, Your salvation, Your presence, and by the strength of Your Word.
As families and friends gather in so many various ways both in person and through technology, I pray that you would grant them a pleasant day where they reflect on all the blessings You provide in Christ.
Thank You that no virus can take us out of Your hands. We rejoice that You provide forgiveness for us. Thank You for Your incredible promises You made and keep.
Now as we go about our day, please allow us to be a blessing to someone else for Your glory and the good of those to whom we reach out.
We love you and seek to trust You more than ever in these pressure-filled and hard times.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Dear reader, may God strengthen you, comfort you, and empower you this Thanksgiving Day regardless of where you are or what is happening to you or around you. This we know, God is there in your midst as well. I trust you enjoy your day in Christ.
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, [a]all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
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