Ask most kids what they’re thankful for, and the classic answers kids give are…
“I’m thankful for my dog.”
“I’m thankful for my home.”
“I’m thankful for my mom.”
Other kids come up with more out-of-the-box specifics. “I’m thankful for peanut butter and Legos.” “I’m thankful for snowflakes and frogs.”
Bottomline though is that when we think of thank-you’s, things and people come to mind. And they should because they’re all gifts from God (James 1:17).
But the deepest kind of gratitude knows that even if all those things and people were stripped away, one thing would never go away—God’s unshakeable love.
That’s the focus of Psalm 138. So here’s a Family Thanksgiving prayer for around your table this year, all based on Psalm 138.
But the deepest kind of gratitude knows that even if all those things and people were stripped away, one thing would never go away—God’s unshakeable love.
Family Thanksgiving Prayer
(based on Psalm 138)
Dear God,
We thank you with all our hearts because your love never fails.
You keep your promises—always.
You can’t ever stop being faithful because “faithful” is just who you are.
When we pray, you answer.
You encourage us by giving us strength.
One day every leader on earth will thank and praise you too.
They’ll listen to your word. They’ll sing about your ways because your glory is so great!
Even though you’re great, you take tender care of those who are humble.
But you stay away from the proud.
Even though trouble is all around, you protect us from our enemies.*
You reach out your powerful hand and save us.
Thank you!
You’ll work out the plans for our lives.
Because your faithful love lasts forever…and ever…and ever.
Thank you that you haven’t forgotten about us, God.
Amen
(based on Psalm 138 NLT)
*We’re usually uncomfortable praying against our enemies. After all, Jesus told us to love our enemies, right? When David or any of the psalmists talk or pray about “enemies” though, they aren’t talking about people they don’t like or people who are mean to them. Instead “enemies” means those who intentionally set themselves against God, his purposes, what he’s said, and who he’s chosen.
© Carol Garborg, 2020
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