My Thanksgiving Prayer

While I have plenty to be thankful for this season of gratitude, I am still dealing with the malaise of Hurricane Helene here in WNC and the election results. My prayer for this Thanksgiving:

Holy Creator –

Thank you for the opportunity to pause and reflect on all we are grateful for. As we gather in this warm home, we remember others who do not have this blessing; this feast before us is prepared by loving hands and hearts, remembering others who don’t have this blessing, good health, and others who are suffering and in pain. We remember past Thanksgivings and those we shared, which are now memories.

Forgive us for taking so much and so many for granted. Open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the least of us, to those we view as enemies instead of neighbors. Help us to love ourselves just as we are so we can love others just as they are.

Thank you for community and for constantly reminding us that we can not live this life alone. We need one another. Make us community builders of more extended tables instead of taller walls.

Help us overcome our fear, mental scarcity, and hopelessness. Help us walk-the talk of compassion, justice, and humility.
And the people say, AMEN!