224 – The General Thanksgiving – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

In the Book of Common Prayer (p 101) at the close of Morning Prayer the following prayer is offered.

Some of you are familiar with liturgical prayers and for some it is something out of your usual experience. In fact, you may have come along (as I did) in a church that had few if any good words to offer about “written” prayers. If the latter was your case, I urge you try on these words and see what draws you.

Why don’t you offer this prayer each morning for the next week and notice which parts of it resonate in your soul. When you find that connection, stay with it and focus on that. If it does not draw you, offer a prayer of support for those who find it a natural part of their prayer language.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

Follow all the Thanksgiving 2014 posts at CommonPlace Book .

 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *