Prayer

“We Plow the Fields and Scatter,” The Presbyterian Hymnal

We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand; God sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, the breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain. You only are the Maker of all things near and far, You plant the wayside flower, You light the evening star; The winds and waves obey you, by you the birds are fed; Much more to us, Your children, You give our daily bread. We thank You then, Creator, for all things bright and good, the seedtime and the harvest, our life, our health, our food; Accept the gifts we offer, for all your love imparts, and what you most would welcome, our humble thankful hearts.

This week our worship and our lives center around giving thanks. As Christians our thanksgiving is not indirect. We are not thanking an unknown source or impersonal universe. We give thanks to the Lord, God Almighty who gives Himself and reveals Herself through all of creation’s gifts. This week may provide opportunities to eat, cook, gather, travel, play, or rest but most of all this is a week of active, intentional, perpetual THANKS GIVING. Giving thanks is not passive or implied, it requires giving; giving of yourself in worship, speaking thanks to God, and giving of yourself to those around you.

Engage this week in GIVING THANKS, and make time to intentionally plan for your holiday energy and spending to be a continuation of your THANKS GIVING to God. Consider how you can unify your family around giving to the hungry (South Carroll Food Pantry), building community (Wesley Freedom), or caring for global neighbors (Heart for Refugees or World Vision). Plan ahead to establish physical space and time for daily prayer and neighborliness. As you prepare for gift-giving, consider how you can give at least an equal share to the poor around you, so that giving is about sharing not teaching self-indulgence. You have so much to be thankful for, now enjoy GIVING THANKS!

Sunday: Psalm 126:1-6

Monday: 1 Chronicles 16:7-24

Tuesday: Psalm 118

Wednesday: Psalm 100:1-5 Write your own prayer or song of Thanksgiving.

Thursday: Share your prayer or song of Thanksgiving with those gathered or include in a note to someone you value.

Friday: Isaiah 1:12-17