By Chuck Griffin
I pray you all have a happy and joyous Thanksgiving tomorrow! This Sunday is an important day, too, marking the first Sunday of Advent, that season of expectation and preparation as we move toward the Christmas season.
During Advent, I am going to provide a daily prayer guide, written along the lines of what was offered throughout September. There will be morning, noon and evening prayers, daily Scripture readings (mostly from the Revised Common Lectionary), and other resources.
Blessings on all of you as we give thanks and move into a time where we celebrate hope, peace, joy and love.
Here’s a prayer I’ve written for use on Thanksgiving Day with family and friends:
Dear Lord, we come to you in this blessed gathering bound by love. As we pause to give thanks, we first consider the great gift you offer us, the gift of eternal life! Thank you for Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Sin and death are defeated, and the abundant grace we are offered in their place is almost beyond comprehension. We also give thanks for the blessings we have now in this temporary world: shelter, plenty of food, and possessions and security that go far beyond our request for our daily bread. As we count our rich blessings this day, help us to consider how you may call us to be a blessing on your behalf in the lives of others. We pray all of this in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
Methodist Life 