I recently started a new spiritual practice of using Scripture as inspiration for prayers of thanksgiving. Since Thanksgiving Day is included in our church calendar, I decided try this practice with the epistle from this year’s Thanksgiving Day lectionary texts — Philippians 4:4-9.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone.
Thank you, God, for putting your joy in my heart. This joy allows me to praise you in all circumstances, especially when things aren’t going my way. Praising you comforts me when I’m feeling weak and defeated and assures me of your unfailing mercies that are new every morning. I’m especially grateful for this praise song.
The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Thank you, Lord, for drawing near to me. You are closer than a whisper and make your presence known in stillness and silence. If you are my shepherd and I shall not want (Ps. 23:1), that means I have all I need. Thank you for enough, and for inviting me to ask for more of your grace, goodness, and provision in my life.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God, thank you for peace in situations that are bewildering. Like when I don’t understand why a person acts a certain way, and there is no way to puzzle it out. When conjecture is the best I can do and endless ruminating doesn’t help. When I need the peace that passes understanding precisely because there is no understanding. Your peace covers all, and it soothes my soul.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Thank you, Jesus, for demonstrating all of these praiseworthy things and calling us to recognize them in each other. Like a parent who praises their child as a means of positive reinforcement, we can cheer and encourage one another along the path of righteousness.
Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Thank you for teachers and role models in the faith — from the Apostle Paul, to my Great Aunt Ruth, to Sunday School children who remind me to stay curious about God and have fun at church. An Incarnation parishioner told me just the other day that your power moves among the faithful. To that I say, “Yes, thank you, and Amen.”
Adrian+