(This prayer can be used before your Thanksgiving Dinner. One person can pray the entire prayer, or it may be divided up among three people as indicated.)
Person 1
Let us bow our heads and take some moments of silence to recall the presence of God and the many blessings God has given us during this past year.
(All now pause for a time of silent reflection for about 20 seconds .If desired, each person can then mention one blessing for which they are particularly grateful. After this sharing or time of silence, Person 1 continues)
Person 1
Almighty and ever-generous God, look upon us gathered here for this Thanksgiving Meal. We humbly acknowledge that you are the source of all our blessings.
Person 2
With gratitude in our hearts, we praise and thank you for our country and for the freedom and prosperity that we share as citizens of the United States.
Person 3
We thank you for our health of body and mind, and for the warmth and shelter of our homes.
Person 1
We thank you for the food and drink that nourish and sustain us, and for the men and women who farm the rich soil of our land.
Person 2
We thank you for loving family members and faithful friends who warm our hearts.
Person 3
We thank you for revealing yourself as a loving Father, and for granting us another year to gather at this table. We ask your blessing upon our food and drink, and upon all gathered for this meal.
Person 1
We also ask, O Lord, that you look kindly upon those we love who cannot be with us, and that you make us mindful of those who will not eat so well today – the poor, the forgotten, the hungry and the hurting. We offer this Thanksgiving Day Prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(The prayer may conclude with all at the table praying the Our Father.)
Join us for Mass at 8:30 am on Thanksgiving Day!