A Daily Thanksgiving: For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve, we thank you, Lord.

Thanksgiving for the Diversity of Races and Cultures: O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.  Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (BCP, p.840)

Thanksgiving for the Beauty of the Earth: We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of the mountains, plains and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers.  We praise you for these good gifts, and we ask your forgiveness for our waste and pollution of your creation.  Change our hearts and strengthen our hands, we pray, so that we may safeguard the beauty of your world for those who come after us. Amen.  (BCP, p. 840, adapted)

Grace Before Meals: Give us grateful hearts, O Lord, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 835, adapted)

When Prayer Is Difficult: For the love of You, I confess that I no longer know how to pray. I do not have the energy even to sigh. I couldn’t even decide where to start. I sit. I focus on relaxing my hands in an open position. I try to let my shoulders fall away from my ears. My brain is both chaotic and empty, exhausted.  For now this will have to be enough.  You know how it is intended. Amen.  The Rev. Julia Seymour

A General Thanksgiving

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us.  We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on very side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.

We thank you also for the disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit; that we may know you and make you known; and through your Spirit, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things.  Amen. BCP, p. 836 (adapted)

The Jesus Prayer: Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

For Closeness to God: Day by day, O Lord, we pray, to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

For Help Finding God: Holy One, I could use a little flame by the side of the road, Off in the corner of my eye, Something to spark,
Curiosity, Imagination, Hope… I could use a spark or a sign or a signal. I could also use a detailed set of instructions. A how-to list, with a plan. Something to show, Strategy, Process, Progress… And if nothing else, I think maybe I could use a moment, With you,
On a mountaintop ,In the laundry room, Or sitting on my front steps. Wherever. I need to know you’re there. I need to know you hear your people’s cries. I need to know you are around us and among us, Inspiring us, At work in us, At work in spite of us.
I need to know you’ve got this. Because I really, really don’t. Holy One of our Ancestors, We remember. We hope. You know.
Find us again. Free your people. Pour out your love. Amen. The Rev. Erin Counihan

In the Morning: This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen. (BCP, p.461)

In the Evening: Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’ sake. Amen. (BCP, p.124)

In the Evening: O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done.  Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. BCP, p. 833