A Simple Thanksgiving Prayer

Here is something I just discovered about myself. I’m terrible at writing prayers.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I pray many times every day. It isn’t the praying that’s the problem. No, it’s putting words together that sound worthy of the praise and worship God deserves. They don’t look or sound too pretty when put on paper.

I’ve written plenty of poems in my lifetime. Some have won awards. But writing a prayer? I feel inadequate for such. My words pale in comparison to those in devotional books. And let’s not even mention the Psalmists here. Holy Spirit showed up big time.

GOD DOESN’T WANT FLOWERY WORDS, HE WANTS OUR HEARTS

But here’s the thing. Just as I’m not good at this, maybe you feel you aren’t either. But God doesn’t care about flowery words. Scholarly-sounding words. Bible-teacher words.

He cares about sincere hearts. Hearts that love and adore him. Hearts that come to Him in awe and wonder at all the blessings He’s given to each of us. Hearts thankful for the gift of His son.

For forgiveness, redemption, and restoration of all those things we so quickly abandoned in our pursuit of worldly pleasures.

My prayers are more like conversations with my Abba Father rather than a God who is formal and distant. Abba is right here with me, holding me up on those days when I need Him just to hold my hand. To get me through the day. To comfort me in my sorrows. To laugh with me in my joys. Just to be with me.

And He has never failed to show up.

Ever.

HE LOVES PLAIN OLD ME

I know that what I read in my Bible tells me Father God—Abba loves me beyond measure. He is always with me, and nothing I do or say will ever make Him stop loving me. (John 10:27-28, ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  Even if I walk away, He will always seek me to bring me back into the fold. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for your and my sins.

Y’all. That’s amazing love. Love that goes beyond my comprehension. But love that I am so thankful for. I certainly don’t deserve it. None of us deserves it. We’ll never be good enough to deserve it. Read Romans 8:38.

But God sent His Son to die for us.

That’s why He came to earth. To be that perfect sacrifice that we could never be. The perfect Lamb of God.

So, here’s my simple Thanksgiving prayer.

A Simple Thanksgiving Prayer @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #writing #Thanksgiving Share on X

MY SIMPLE PRAYER

Abba,

I worship and adore you. I fall at your feet in awe and wonder that you love me.

I thank you for so many things. The blessings you’ve showered on me are too many to count. I’m so grateful for every single one, beginning with the gift of Jesus, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There are not enough words at my disposal to let you know how thankful I am. But you know because you know me and my heart.

Bless those I love with the things you know they need. Open the hearts and minds of many I love, Lord, those who don’t know you as their Savior and Lord of their lives. Give them ears to hear, Abba, and call each of them by name. I thank you for the things you are doing in their lives. Things neither they nor I can see at this moment. I put my faith, hope, and my trust in you.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. I love you, Abba.

Amen

I lift each of you up before our heavenly Father today. May you have a glorious Thanksgiving.

Blessings, y’all!

A lovely arrangement of this beautiful hymn. I pray it will bless you this day. John Rutter has written some gorgeous music and done many arrangements of beloved hymns.