Most merciful and bountiful God,
This week, those within our nation will gather around tables and join in moments of fellowship and feasting. Families will be reunited, and friends will embrace the joy of rekindled relationships and the sharing of cherished memories. Recipes of longstanding traditions will be intermingled with new additions to the meal. Prayers will be uttered in silent reverence or over the din of laughing children and football games. Gracious Savior, apart from the bountiful harvest of blessings you have poured out upon each of us; the greatest gift has been your grace. Too often we forget the necessity of forgiveness and humility. How quickly we forget the awesome sacrifice you have endured for us so that we may live without the fear of sin and death. While we join in these festivities, may your grace be at the forefront of all our conversations, all our prayers, and all our interactions.
Jesus, you know the state of our world at this time. You know the perils and dark nights that surround many of your creations. We cannot help but tremble at the sights and sounds of wars, famines, and oppression that we seem so shielded from at times. We also know that true healing, true peace, and true restoration can only come from you and you alone. May we not sit in idle paralysis, but instead stand as a living gospel of your love and message of redemption. May the world know when they look upon us that we are followers of the Nazarene, followers of the Risen Messiah, followers of Jesus Christ.
Lord, we ask that you surround us with your divine guidance as we travel, as we eat, and as we make lasting memories. May those memories be cherished and wholesome and not divisive or jarring. May we speak with tongues of loving fire; emboldened by your Holy Spirit to speak love and life. May we truly create around our tables an atmosphere of true Thanksgiving. Not one simply of fine china and a linen tablecloth, not one that is all on the surface; but instead, a Thanksgiving of the biblical truth that is found only in Christ Jesus.
We beseech your presence at all our humble gatherings, and we prepare a chair for you at the table of our hearts this Holiday season. Please join us in our gatherings and be present in all aspects of our life.
We ask these things in the divine name of Jesus Christ.
Amen
Happy Thanksgiving One and All
—
Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United
Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
