A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Today I was reading my copy of the_ Book of Common Prayer_ from 1662... it's not actually a copy from 1662, but a Cambridge "1662 edition" in burgundy calf-skin leather with gilt edges that was published in 1968. It's a beautiful copy, might I add.

Anyhow,  I was preparing for my congregation's Thanksgiving Day Service and  I wanted to read some prayers from our reformed forefathers. The prayers of those who have gone before us ought to serve as  models for public prayer as much of today's public prayer tends to lack the reverence and awe of those who have gone before us. I was not disappointed as I turned to the section entitled "THANKSGIVINGS."

As you prepare your hearts for giving thanks unto The One who gave up His only Son so that we may have all things, I hope this prayer may aid in your prayers as well. Enjoy! 

_Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory. _

_And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we shew forth thy praises, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen. _

May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with a due sense of His goodness and mercies. And may your prayers be seasoned with reverence and awe.