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.
