Dear Friends,
This Thanksgiving, I am in the care of Another—and so are you if you are alive in Jesus in the kingdom of God.
For that game-changing reality, we can give great thanks!
We need thanks to animate and sustain us because circumstances often barge into our lives, tormenting our bodies or minds—medical issues, economic issues, fear of difference.
But yet, we are here today—alive in Jesus, the Lord who is our Shepherd. Despite the pain of the past and the uncertainty of the future, in this present moment we are safe.
Giving thanks is a powerful spiritual practice for staying present to each moment, to being cared for by God in life’s pleasures and trials. If you need a place to start this Thanksgiving, do this: Sometime before guests arrive or you hit the road, find 10 minutes to sit with this:
Litany of Thanksgiving
The Book of Common Prayer
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
We thank you, Lord.
For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.
For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.
For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.
Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord,
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter is the founding bishop of The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others and founder of The Center for Formation, Justice and Peace. He is past president of Alpha USA, former national director for the Association of Vineyard Churches, and retired founding pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Costa Mesa, CA. He is the author of Christianity Beyond Belief: Following Jesus for the Sake of Others, Giving Church Another Chance, The Outsider Interviews, The Accidental Anglican, Our Favorite Sins, Our Character at Work and Deep Peace. He writes a weekly newsletter, The Gospel of the Kingdom.