Thanksgiving Scripture and Prayer

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Prayer:

Most merciful Father, we remember on this day your faithfulness to us and to a thousand generations. We remember the rich, biblical heritage of this country. We remember the Mayflower Compact, which included these words: “Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith . . . a voyage to plant the First Colony . . . [we] solemnly . . . in the presence of God and of one another, Covenant . . . ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic. . . ” We remember that you are the God who delights in giving gifts to your children; You are the God who prepares for us a table in the presence of our enemies; You are the God who rights evil and overturns wicked empires. We rather place our trust in You than in all the military might of this world. Receive our humble thanksgiving. We pray, our Father, that you would make us a people filled with gratitude for your love and abundant grace, for Jesus Christ and his victory over death, for the Holy Spirit and his abiding presence within us, for the kingdom of God and your church who shall ever prevail against the gates of hell.

We pray that your tender mercies will always be with us that we may never forget the goodness of your Hands for us. May we feast in this delicious meal knowing that we have first tasted of your Sovereign care. We have seen that You are good to us and so now bless this meal and this communion.

We give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.