A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

By Jessica Brodie

Dear Lord,

Holidays are both beautiful and chaotic. For many of us, the busyness of the day crowds out the important meaning.

And now, after a 2020 so downright bizarre many of us feel like we’re living in a science fiction movie, we approach Thanksgiving.

We know this is a day set aside to thank You for your providence and to reflect on the deep gratitude in our hearts for all of Your blessings. And yet, this year is different—harder somehow.

Our minds are often scattered in this season. We might be focused on organizing a mealtime gathering or a Thanksgiving service, or maybe our insides feel tied in knots as we anticipate keeping the peace in difficult family situations. We might be focused on fun aspects of the day, like parades and football games, pre-meal 5Ks, hunting or other activities. Or we might be so tempted to rush through today’s holiday so we can get cracking on the next one, Christmas.

Or maybe because of COVID and all its constraints, from travel to masks to whether we can even spend time with family this year, our hearts are heavy. We don’t feel like celebrating Thanksgiving.

This month, help us to slow down. Help us to breathe and rest in You. Help us to honor the centering, holy words offered in one of our favorite psalms:

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV

Help us not to worry about tomorrow, whether that’s an ongoing family drama or a health crisis. Help us know that You take care of all our needs, and the only thing we need to do today is breathe and open our heart to appreciate the beautiful, glorious gift that is in the life You’ve given us, to focus on the time we have on this earth and on all we can do to prepare for our eternal life with You in heaven.

In Your holy, precious and all-comforting name we pray.

Amen.