A prayer for Thanksgiving Day, written by Debbie McDaniel, read by Alissa Forsberg.

Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth, worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God, it is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise, give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good, His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100, 1-5.

All across our nation, today is a day that we set aside in order to do one thing.

Be thankful.

And usually what goes along with it is lots of food, family and friends, laughter and fun,

times of giving to others in need, maybe some football, or traditions that you've recognized through long years.

And sometimes too, there is also loneliness, and struggle, or deep loss, feelings of hurt and painful circumstances

that you're still trying to hurt all over.

Whatever you're facing this Thanksgiving day, in the midst of all of it,

maybe remember again that God gives us the opportunity each and every day to give worship and thanks to Him.

Every morning He gives us breath is His invitation to come joyfully into His presence.

He reminds us that He alone is God, and we belong to Him.

He assures us that His plans in our lives are for good, that His love covers us securely,

and His faithfulness extends from generation to generation.

No matter what, He's given us so many reasons to choose thankfulness and joy this day.

Let's do what the Psalmist of this great chapter says.

Shout for joy, worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that He is God. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise.

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