We all want to give thanks before we enjoy the bounty of Thanksgiving Day. Any words of thanks are pleasing to God, and we can always speak straight from our hearts to our loving Father. If you’d prefer some more formal prayers, try out these options…
Thanksgiving Prayers and Table Graces
Posted by “Building Faith” on November 26th, 2014–available online here…
“Be present at our table, Lord
be here and everywhere adored.
Bless these thy gifts and grant that we
may feast in fellowship with thee.”
Thanking God on Thanksgiving
Do you offer a blessing before meals? Perhaps only on special occasions? Here are 10 Thanksgiving prayers and table graces that you can use on Thanksgiving Day. This may be your chance to start a new tradition of beginning all meals with a word of prayer. May God bless you and yours this Thanksgiving and beyond…
Traditional Table Graces and Thanksgiving Prayers
Bless, O Lord, this food to our use,
and us to thy service,
and make us ever mindful
of the needs of others.
Amen.
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts
which we are about to receive from thy bounty,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest,
Let these thy gifts to us be blessed.
Amen.
Be present at our table, Lord;
be here and everywhere adored.
Bless these thy gifts and grant that we
may feast in fellowship with thee.
Amen.
Thanksgiving Prayer from “We Thank Thee” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
For this new morning with its light,
Father, we thank thee.
For rest and shelter of the night,
Father, we thank thee
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven, we thank thee.
Amen.
Thanksgiving Prayer for Harvest Time
Loving God, all that we have
comes from your goodness
and the work of those who love us.
Bless us and the food we share.
Watch over those who care for us.
Open our eyes to the needs of the poor
during this time of harvest and thanksgiving.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(From Blessings and Prayers through the Year, Elizabeth McMahon Jeep, Liturgy Training Publications 2004)
A Word of Thanks
For health and strength and daily food;
for all the joys that make life worth living;
for the opportunity to help those
who need us so very much,
we give you thanks, O God. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
(From Pilgrim Prayers for Mealtime, Alexander Campbell, Pilgrim Press 2013)
Thanksgiving Prayer “That We May be Renewed”
Loving God,
bless our food and drink
our friendship and our laughter
that we may be renewed
in body, mind, and spirit
to work together
for the coming of your kingdom
of justice, love, and peace.
Amen.
(By Maureen Edwards, printed in Blessed be our Table, Neil Paynter, Wild Goose 2003)
The Hand that Made the Hands
For the hands that tilled,
for the hands that harvested,
for the hands that processed,
for the hands that transported,
for the hands that stocked,
for the hands that sold,
for the hands that bought,
for the hands that prepared,
for the hands that will hold,
for the hand that made the hands,
our hearts are forever grateful.
Amen.
(By Ewan Aitken, printed in Blessed be our Table, Neil Paynter, Wild Goose 2003)
A Scottish Grace
Praise to God who giveth meat.
Convenient unto all who eat.
Praise for tea and buttered toast,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
(From Saying Grace, Sarah McElwain, Chronicle Books 2003)