A Prayer for Thanksgiving and Togetherness
This isn’t necessarily for the holiday, Thanksgiving, but now is as good a time as any to give thanks. Thanks for being alive, thanks for being together -- even if we’re only together in spirit.
This prayer for thanksgiving is simple. You can read it at the table as a way of saying Grace, or just keep the words in your heart this season. It’s for you and the people you love, whether they’re near or too far away.
It’s also an ode to the miracle of your own being here.
Thank you for being here. Really. <3
A Short Prayer for Thanksgiving and Togetherness
This is my wish, my hope, and my prayer:
May we never take for granted our time here on earth, and this time that we have together.
May we spend more time with the people we love, and less time worrying about what might never happen.
For each of us, may we look to the past so that we may learn, and grow ever into the person we hope to be. And as we look to the future, may we smile. May we keep possibility burning like a bonfire in our own hearts.
May we have the courage to face hardship with grace. May we be quick to forgive and slow to hate. May we treat each other with kindness and remember that to be human is to make mistakes.
May we have mercy on our own selves when we most need it.
In every heartache, let there be wisdom. After every dark night, may we let the dawn into our hearts. No matter how bad things get, may we again have the sun on our faces. May we be better for it all, and may we better know the joy that runs through our veins: this is the joy of being alive.
May we stop every once in a while, just to breathe.
May we stop to see the beauty still left around us. May we see the beauty in each other, and the beauty in ourselves.
For those we love who have gone before us, may we honor them by how we live our own lives. Let us remember them with a smile. We will keep them in our hearts, and through our love bring them to life.
May we love each day like it was our last.
May we love each other like it's what we're here to do.
May the love we send out into the world be the love that comes back to our own front door.
And wherever we go, may we find ourselves at home, underneath the same sky as everything and everyone we've ever loved.
Amen. Let it be so.
. . .
Tell me:
What or who are you grateful for this time of year?
Tell me in the comments. I’d love to know!
~ Jen
Comments on this post (12)
I came across your page this morning as I browsed through Pentrest. Each sentence is so well said. Captivating. To the point of me finding myself asking my Lord and Savior in a prayer that he may continue to “bless you.” You do have a way with words. In today’s society we all need to read positive comments, stories, etc. Listen to encouraging conversations. Get involved in conversations that inspire anyone who wants to listen. Even to including the most universal language, music uplifting music stations like WAY-FM. K-LOVE. WGTS. WFSH-FM. WRCM. I don’t work for any station listed or unlisted.
I do have a question for you, although it states in the heading A Prayer for Thanksgiving and Togetherness. You do not mention the name of God at any point. Nor do you mention the Son of God, Jesus! I am not tarnishing your page or you. I am not discrediting your page or you. I am not defaming your page or you. I am not slandering your page or you. I am simply stating a prayer is a recognition of to God.
John 3:16 reminds us that there is an eternal glory awaiting us beyond this life of pain and sorrow. It is an important verse because we are reassured of a God who loves us so much that he would sacrifice even his beloved Son so that we could have life. I pray that as I leave this communication of my words they do not form an uproar. It takes a lot for me to get impressed with other peoples writing and I was with yours.
— Madeline
Hi. Thank you for this beautiful writing. thank you for your blog. I blog too but I blog about a lot of things but healing. I hope to blog about it too this year.
— Sethu
Dear Jen, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the recent passing of your grandfather. You and your loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for sharing your Thanksgiving Poem. It brought me to tears. Blessings to you and your Ministry of love and healing. I know your grandfather will be with you forever. Love and Peace, Diane McConnon
— Diane McConnon
I love this prayer. Thank you for sharing it. I’m great full for 32 years of life with my sweetheart, he left this earth on October 1,2020. Shell
— Shelley York
Pat, thank you so, so much. You’re a role model to me. :)
— Jennifer Williamson
Thank you so much, Linda, your love and solidarity mean everything to my family and to me.
— Jennifer Williamson
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and heartful experiences you are a very special person to all of us. love Pat
— Pat
I’m praying for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your prayer from last year. I will say it daily, as a reminder of what I have. God Bless You.
— Linda
Jim, and this is why I’m so very grateful today. Thank you for sharing, reading, being here, being you.
— Jennifer Williamson
Patricia, I’m grateful for you reading and supporting and connecting with everything that I share here. I’m touched these words were a reminder to slow down inside, even when the outside is a little crazy. Hard, but feels so good when we do it! I hope you had a wonderful holiday :)
— Jennifer Williamson
Hey love, my gracious friend,
You’re kind words traveled far and
Sparked love in my heart and
Hope in my life again.
With all my heart,
Thank you,
Gracious lady,
Your very grateful friend
— Jim
Such beautiful words Jen; thank you for having all the right words to get thru the craziness in my head and remind me of slowing down and living right here right now.
I’m so very very thankful that I found you this year; Happy Thanksgiving ~
Patricia
— Patricia M.