For All His Gifts

(Post-Feast Promenade, Thanksgiving Day 2008)Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his giftsso freely bestowed upon us.For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,I thank you, Lord.For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,I thank you, Lord.For my daily food and drink, my home and family, and friends,I thank you, Lord.For a mind to think, and a heart to love, and hands to serve,I thank you, Lord.For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,I thank you, Lord.For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,I thank you, Lord.For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,I thank you, Lord.For the communion of saints, in all times and places,I thank you, Lord.Above all, I give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;to him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.(From The Divine Hours, Vol II: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime, by Phyllis Tickle)