This Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about friends and family–some who will be grieving, others joyfully reconnecting with loved ones, others enduring intense anxiety, and still others who find the holidays a bit bitter sweet, wonderful and hard. And I’ve been reflecting the tender heart of our Father who remains perfectly present in each of our moments, comforting us in our sorrow and laughing with us in our joy.

I thought, perhaps, I might encourage some of you through some prayer prompts you can pray, receive, or both.

A prayer for the hurting:

Father, thank You that You not only see my pain, but feel a depth of empathy toward me I may never fully comprehend. My sorrow isn’t inconsequential to You. To the contrary. As Psalm 56:8 states, “You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” (NASB) You are the Father of Compassion who abounds with steadfast love toward me. Comfort my hurts and remind me of Your constant, grace-filled presence. I thank You that Your mercy is new every morning and that You have promised to one day turn my sorrow to joy. (Lamentations 3:22-23; Ps. 30:5). In Jesus’ name, amen.

A prayer for the anxious and overwhelmed:

Father, You are a holy, all-powerful, loving, attentive, and faithful God. Scripture tells me You know everything I will face today, tomorrow, and decades from now. I hold tight to two immutable truths: Every day of my lives was recorded in Your, before a single one came to pass, and You have wonderful, hope-filled plans for me. (Psalm 139:16; Jeremiah 29:11). Through Your Son, You have promised me a beyond expectations life characterized by joy, peace, and soul-deep freedom. (John 10:10, Galatians 5:22-23). Quiet my anxiety and fear with Your truth and assurances of Your heart toward me. I know and trust that the God of all creation is for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A prayer for the overjoyed:

Holy, precious Father, as I celebrate another holiday and reflect upon all the blessings You’ve given me this year thus far, I’m reminded that every perfect gift comes from You. (James 1:17) Thank You for all the ways You have provided for me and my loved ones. (Philippians 4:19). Thank You for the food we’ll eat and the laughter and wonderful conversations we’ll share. May I cherish and remain fully present for ever grace-filled moment, just as You always remain fully present with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A prayer for the bittersweet:

Father, thank You that I have joyous moments to celebrate this Thanksgiving, and also that I don’t have to pretend that the hard parts don’t hurt. You see it all and are present in it all, and You invite me to come to You just as I am. No filters. No fear of displeasing You or saying or doing something that might turn You away, because You have promised this will never occur. (Hebrews 13:6). You will never forsake me or abandon me. This season, help me to enjoy every gift and blessing You have provided, to give myself permission to laugh, but also, to cry. And may I experience Your love and presence in both. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

And to my newsletter subscribers, keep an eye out for my next newsletter edition. I’ll be sharing a recipe to my latest culinary creation. It was so, so good!

Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Why God Might Feel Distant and How to Connect With Him More Deeply – Faith Over Fear

Have you ever wondered why God can feel distant even when you genuinely love Him and want a close relationship with Him? Past experiences of rejection, emotional distance or unmet needs can affect how we relate to others—and how we experience our relationship with God. Jennifer Slattery talks with author, speaker and Anglican priest Reverend Summer Joy Gross about attachment, anxiety and the fears that can leave us questioning whether God is truly attentive, responsive and engaged with us. Summer shares how understanding attachment helped her recognize some of the fears beneath her own people-pleasing and anxiety and how God has been leading her toward greater security in His love. Together, she and Jennifer discuss the pressure to approach God correctly, why we don't have to chase Him or earn deeper connection with Him and how healing often occurs slowly, one encounter with God at a time. Discover how you can bring your full, messy self to God, receive His compassionate presence and increasingly experience the secure, unchanging love of the One who continually draws near. Scripture discussed or referenced: Ezekiel 36:26; Psalm 46:10; Luke 15:3–7, 11–32; Psalms (David’s laments); Mark 10:13–16; Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 51:14 Resource referenced: Emmanuel Promise: Discovering the Security of a Life Held by God by Summer Joy Gross Find Summer Joy Gross: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

1. Why God Might Feel Distant and How to Connect With Him More Deeply 40:13
2. How God Redeems Our Deepest Regrets (ft. Dustin Lolli, lead singer Sanctus Real) 38:18
3. How God Helps Us Repair Broken Relationships 29:47
4. How to Stop Letting Fear Drive Your Need for Control (ft. Lysa TerKeurst) 28:17
5. How to Trust God When You Need a Miracle 36:55