For some of us, being asked to say a prayer for Thanksgiving can be an intimidating task. Many people want to make it a special prayer for the holiday but simply can’t find the right words. Here is a selection of prayers that you may use as is or to help you find your inspiration.
For planting, harvesting and the food we are about to share, we give you thanks.
For every good nightʼs sleep and every good dayʼs work, we give you thanks.
For strong bodies and minds, and for opportunities to learn and grow, we give you thanks.
For all our friends and family members who have died and now rest from their labors, we give
you thanks.
For moments of happiness and joy that enlighten our days, we give you thanks.
For the young who have high hopes and so many possibilities for their future, we give you
thanks.
For a family that lives together and eats together and grows together, we give you thanks.
For your Son, Jesus Christ, who lived and died and now lives again so that we can be saved,
we give you thanks.
For the food we eat and these moments we share, we give you thanks.
To you, O God, we give praise and glory on this Thanksgiving Day, and always. Amen.
— From Living Grace Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb.
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.
— Moravian blessing
May the Lord of all creation shower his blessings and favor upon you.
May the Lord of the harvest grace your Thanksgiving table with his presence and fill your loved ones with peace.
May the Lord of salvation guide you all your days until you come into the joys of his eternal kingdom.
And may almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
— Thomas L. Weitzel
O gracious God, we give you thanks for your overflowing generosity to us. Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today. Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here. Thank you for our health, our work and our play. Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick or suffering war and violence. Open our hearts to your love. We ask your blessing through Christ your Son. Amen.
— Mary Cronk Farrell
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 to try to live as you would have us. This we ask in the name of Christ.
— Harry Jewell
God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, you looked upon all that you created and declared it good. Grant that I, this day, might regard your creation with the same esteem and appreciation, seeing you at work in every daily operation. Help me to give thanks as I recognize your loving work in all abundant blessings. Most of all, let me see not only your creation, but also its redemption, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
— Martin Luther
We give you thanks, abundant God, for the fruitful earth that provides more than we need for life. Teach us to use these gifts wisely and share them freely with all people in the world. We give you thanks for your Spirit that binds us to you and unites us as one family. Keep us always striving first for your kingdom, that our lives reflect your boundless grace. Amen
— “Sundays and Seasons Year B,” page 322
God most provident, we join all creation in offering you praise through Jesus Christ. For generations the people of this land have sung of your bounty. With them, we offer you thanksgiving for the rich harvest we have received at your hands. Bless us and this food that we share with grateful hearts. Continue to make our land fruitful and let our love for you be seen in our pursuit of justice and peace and in our generous response to those in need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
— “Bread for the Day,” page 362
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