A Thanksgiving Prayer

It’s almost Thanksgiving in the US! Thanksgiving is a day when family and friends gather together to share some great food and spend time together. However, we can’t lose sight of the reason for this holiday—it’s an opportunity to pause and thank God for His faithfulness, love, provision, and care in our lives. 

Restoration of the Ark of the Covenant

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s people offering heartfelt thanks. They stopped to recognize His goodness, provision, and grace. For instance, 1 Chronicles 16:34 NKJV says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” This verse comes from when Israel was celebrating the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. 

The Ark, which symbolized God’s presence and His covenant with Israel, had been taken by the Philistines years earlier (see 1 Samuel 4:10-11). When the Ark was returned, it was kept in the house of Abinadab and later taken to Jerusalem under King David’s rule (2 Samuel 6:12-13). 

David recognized the significance of the Ark, so, he arranged for it to be placed in a tent he had made in Jerusalem. This celebration marked the restoration of worship and the people’s renewed focus on God’s presence among them. 

David and the people were ecstatically happy about the return of the Ark and its installation in Jerusalem! They let God know how happy they were, too! 

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

In 1 Chronicle 16, we see the celebration of the Ark’s return, which included offerings, music, and songs of praise led by King David. The song (verses 8-36) is a compilation of psalms that praise God’s greatness, faithfulness, and love. In verse 34, you find the central refrain of this song. It emphasizes God’s goodness and enduring love—a theme followed by the people of Israel when they returned to worshiping God. 

The key themes of this verse include: 

God’s goodness: an acknowledgment that God is good and His actions reflect His character. 

God’s enduring love: the Hebrew word “chesed” is often translated “love;” however, it means so much more. “Chesed” can mean loving-kindness, kindness, or love between people, or refer to God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness. It can also refer to covenant loyalty.

Thanksgiving as worship: the verse is also a model that shows how gratitude is a proper response to God’s character and His actions, along with His provision, love, and care.

In this very moment in 1 Chronicles 16, we see Israel’s, God’s chosen people, relationship with God restored. This was cause for great joy and gratitude. It also reminds us how to celebrate God’s faithfulness in our lives in the same spirit of Thanksgiving today. 

A Thanksgiving Prayer

As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, consider including a prayer of gratitude in your celebration. Here is a simple prayer to guide your heart and help you express thanksgiving to God. 

Holy Father, 

We come before You with hearts full of praise and gratitude. Thank You for Your steadfast love, Your faithfulness, and Your many blessings. You have been our provider, protector, and guide in every season. 

Today, we remember that every good and perfect gift comes from You (James 1:17). Thank you for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We also thank You for the hope and peace we receive through Him. 

As we gather with loved ones, we thank You for the gift of family and community. We also express our thanks for the opportunity to celebrate this holiday together. Helps us to be mindful of those who may be struggling during this season and show us how to extend Your love and grace to them. 

May our gratitude not be confined to this day only, but we pray it overflows into every moment of our lives. Teach us to live with thankful hearts, continually praising You for Your goodness and mercy. 

In Jesus’ name, we pray, 

Amen. 

Reflecting on Gratitude

As you pray this Thanksgiving prayer (whether you celebrate this holiday or not), take time to reflect on how God has been faithful to you in the past year. Perhaps He provided unexpectedly, sustained you through a difficult season, or brought joy to your life through small, everyday blessings. Remember how God showed His faithfulness throughout the year and let Him know how thankful you are. 

Gratitude is an act of worship and a way to set our hearts toward God’s will. Psalm 9:1 says, “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” This Thanksgiving, let’s not only feel grateful today—let’s express our gratitude in our prayers and share it with others daily. 

I’d like to wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration filled with love, joy, peace, and the overwhelming goodness of God. 

God bless,

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