Create in Me a Thankful Heart

Thanksgiving is a national holiday. The day before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are two of the busiest travel days of the year. It usually involves eating thousands of calories: turkey, dressing, potatoes, cranberries, some kind of corn, and pumpkin pie are usually on the menu. The Lions and the Cowboys always seem to be playing in a football game. And the newspaper is huge. Dozens of color advertisements are inserted between the sports and the business sections advertising 80% off things we don't need if we shop between midnight and four in the morning. Somehow I think we are missing the point of Thanksgiving.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:18

Last week I wrote this prayer early one morning. I want to encourage you to pray it regularly - especially in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. It would be great to pray together as a family. A thankful heart is a cure to jealousy, greed, envy, selfishness, and taking people and things for granted. A thankful heart also can connect us to God in ways we haven't been connected to God before.

Dear God, 

Create in me a thankful heart. 

Develop in me a grateful mind. 

Give me an appreciative spirit. 

I confess feelings of jealously toward the actions of others. 

I confess feelings of envy toward the possessions, attributes, and skills of others. 

I confess feelings of greed that have caused ungratefulness in my life. 

Create in me a thankful heart. 

I have focused on what I don’t have rather than what I do have. 

I have taken for granted many of your blessings. 

I have wanted more than I have needed. 

Create in me a thankful heart. 

For your fellowship 

For my family 

For my friends 

I give you thanks. 

For a warm bed to sleep and good food to eat 

For clean water to drink and a clear mind to think 

For comfortable clothes to wear and a life to share 

I give you thanks. 

For your grace for my mistakes 

For your power when I am weak 

For your love when I am alone 

I give you thanks. 

For your presence and promise in times of grief and trials 

For your hope and light in days of despair and darkness 

For creating the unique person I am 

I give you thanks. 

For laughter and smiles and hugs and most tears 

For the ability to embrace and to be embraced 

For recovery, restoration, repair, and reconciliation 

I give you thanks. 

Give me an appreciative spirit. 

Develop in me a grateful mind. 

Create in me a thankful heart. 

Amen.