__________

 

As we near our Thanksgiving holiday, I am thinking about giving thanks, and I am also focusing more on the concept of giving. I ask myself, what can I give to God so that I am following the desire of Jesus to love others as He has loved me?

 

In my pondering time, I have been intrigued with the expanded concept of the word Thanksgiving. In the past, I have always focused on the concept of giving thanks for my blessings.

 

Today I am focusing on the “giving” part—what can I give up to God to follow the desire of Jesus to love one another as He has loved me.

 

I pray as I ponder the complete meaning of the word Thanksgiving.

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Oh my Lord Jesus,

I come before you with

My heart is full of thanksgiving.

I want to give to you.

Dear Jesus, just as you give to me.

 

Thank you for the gift of life.

I give you my life to use as you will.

 

Thank you for loving me.

I give you my love by showing my love to others.

 

Thank you for abundant food

I will look for ways to give food to those who are hungry.

 

Thank you for my home, dear Lord

I will look for ways to help the homeless.

 

Thank you for my family.

I will reach out to encourage families in need.

 

Thank you, Abba Father, for your patience.

I am trying to be more patient.

 

Thank you, Precious Jesus, for your forgiveness.

Change my heart, so I can forgive.

 

I pause, remembering that I am not alone in this prayer. Those of you reading this may think of your own Thanksgivings, and also ponder what you are giving up to God and to God’s children in the name of Jesus.

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I invite you to pray using the format of the prayer above. Read the first line that suggests things you may be thankful for. Replace the second line with your personal thanks to God and ways you want to give your love to everyone. 

 

May your Thanksgiving celebrations be abundant in Thanks and Giving,

__________

 

Enjoy a beautiful musical expression of giving thanks and giving to others at the link below.

 

Thanks and Giving

Veliko Lee Bekir

 

https://blawenburgchurch.podbean.com/e/prayer-corner-39-thanks-and-giving/

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Here are the lyrics for you to follow:

 

[Verse 1] 

We come to You with open hands 

Grateful hearts, a faithful band 

You gave us breath, You gave us days 

Now we give back in quiet ways 

​

[Chorus] 

Thanks and giving, not just words 

Living out the truth we’ve heard 

What can we offer, what can we do? 

To show the world we walk with You 

Thanks and giving, every day 

Not just in what we kneel and pray 

​

[Verse 2] 

Thank You, Lord, for food and light 

We’ll feed the ones who face the night 

Thank You for our warm, safe space 

We’ll help someone find their place 

[Verse 3] 

​

You gave us love, so freely poured 

Now we step out, to serve You more 

With every act, both small and true 

We say “Thank You,” Lord, to You 

 

[Chorus] ​

Thanks and giving, not just words 

Living out the truth we’ve heard 

What can we offer, what can we do? 

To show the world we walk with You 

Thanks and giving, every day 

In every quiet act, we’ll stay 

Thanks and giving, not just words 

We give it all to You

Thanks and giving, every day 

In every quiet act… we’ll stay 

Lord, this is our thanks… and our giving too