Thanksgiving Prayer

I am a Martha temperament, wanting the food to be delicious, the house kept clean, the gifts neatly wrapped. I can easily feel overwhelmed with the preparations. But my greatest desire? To be like Mary and choose the more perfect way (see Luke 10:38-42).

Can I just sit for a moment with Jesus? May I be found for just a moment lost in gazing upon His glory, captured in the beauty of his grace.

We may not always take a breath to rediscover the holy day this holiday can be: a day devoted simply to giving thanks. For when we give thanks, we speak the language of heaven, and thus enter into the presence of the Lord.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

For with praise and thanksgiving we enter into the holy.

I long for that today, to walk in God's presence with thanks in my heart and on my lips, gliding with peace through a day that can be harried with preparations, or sometimes awkward family moments.

But peacemakers who sow in peace will reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

Let's remember to pray for those who are not celebrating this holiday season. This is a prayer for hearts of peace on a holiday when some of us are missing loved ones. A prayer for those whose families are separated or torn apart, and those who grieve today instead of rejoice.

May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

This is a prayer for hearts that are full. Whether our plates are full or empty. Whether our houses full or empty. May our hearts be full of peace as we fill our moments with Jesus.