Pause for Prayer, Gratitude, Blessings this Thanksgiving
By Paula Mitchell
A prayer of gratitude is simply giving thanks to God in humility and love. It is an ancient tradition, the world over. It provides a moment of stillness, and the mind to settle. Thanksgiving is a special occasion for doing just that. The following are some examples of prayers that could be said prior to partaking the delicious foods, around the Thanksgiving table.
“Divine Creator, maker of the universe and all the beauty that lives within it, we give thanks for this meal and for all the good in our lives. We think of our many brothers and sisters who go without, each and every day. May this feast compel us to work to better care for all of those in the world who need our love and generosity the most.” Amen
“May all be fed, May all be healed, May all be loved.” Amen
“Heavenly father, we come to you today with gratitude for all of the blessings you’ve given us, Especially our friends and family members, and for the nourishment you provide.” Amen
“Thank you, God, for this past year, Thank you, God, for family here, Thank you, God, for this delicious food, Thank you, God, for all that’s good.” Amen
“For food that stays our hunger, For rest that brings us ease, For homes where memories linger, We give our thanks for these.” Amen
“We give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.” 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
“God, thank you for all that you’ve given us, Bless the cook and bless all those who go without.” Amen
“Be present at our table, Lord, Be here and everywhere adored. Thy people bless and grant that we, May feast in paradise with thee.” Amen
“Let this food bless us, heal us, balance us, energize us, and put us in harmony with everything good in the universe.” Amen.
As one’s family gathers together this Thanksgiving, the writer prays that one’s home will be blessed. Know that the blessings are given daily, so that it is not just on Thanksgiving that we should show our gratitude, but every day. Amen
The writer wishes her readers “A Blessed Thanksgiving.”
Life’s lessons to add to the mix include the following:
- Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- Break the wishbone for good luck.
- Share what one is most thankful for.
- Give back to a charity …Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, Red Cross, Cancer Society.
- Bake cookies and deliver to a senior citizen living alone.
Residents awoke to a 26° Thursday morning temperature. Snow blowing was all over the place with temperatures staying cool. Students had early dismissal Thursday afternoon with Friday cancellation. After all, it is winter.
Clickety clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird.
- The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade featured Central Park Zoo animals.
- The tradition of football on Thanksgiving was started in 1876 with a game between Yale and Princeton.
- The first Thanksgiving was actually a three-day festival including 50 Pilgrims (only five women present) and 90 Wampanoag Indians.
- Ducks, swans, and geese are believed to have been served at the first Thanksgiving.
Sitting by the fireplace is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Steve Conrad was recognized at this year’s “Most Loyal” honoree at West Virginia University. So, all who know Steve, know a celebrity. Congratulations!
Folks are beginning to dress their homes and landscapes for Christmas. The Parade of Lights gives winner prizes, with a judging date forthcoming.
Good to hear that George Hevener has made it home to recuperate the next six weeks following hip surgery.
December birthdays include the following: Kipton Owens and Emma Puffenbarger, first; Josh Hedrick, second; Charlotte Thompson and Kathy Smith, fifth; Willard May and Rose Smith, sixth; Liz Bodkin, eighth; Daniel Propst, Gary Harrison and Gary Sheffer, ninth; Dennis Nicely, 10th; Kelsey Jamison, 11th; Kathy Nelson, 13th; and Seth Bowers, 14th.
Concerns are for the following: Bob Adamson, Dyer Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, “Bo” Boggs, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Benny Evick, Isaac Eye, Linda Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, George Hevener, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Tim L. Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Lisa and Mike Jamison, Jessica Janney, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, O’Dell Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rick Linaburg, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Angie Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Andy Pond, the Steve Pope family, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, the Deyerle Rexrode family, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, the Jeanette Sponaugle family, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer, individuals and families affected by the natural disasters and the people of Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine.
Cutline; Thanksgiving clip art
