Father in Heaven,

As we celebrate another Thanksgiving Day, perhaps others, like me, are thankful, but weary. Life circumstances have gotten them down, taken a mighty toll on their lives. Father, for me, the past fourteen months have been hard, likely the toughest prolonged stretch of my life, including the loss of my father, my mother-in-law and also very nearly my brother in a brutal battle with COVID. I feel like I have aged ten years, and even the smallest tasks, commitments or obligations can feel overwhelming. But amazingly, through this time, I have grown even closer to You.

I’m thankful for songs such as “My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness” by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty:

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again.

Father, as I pray for what I am most thankful for, the gift of salvation given to me by Your Son, the one who bore my pain is at the top of the list. Nothing else compares to this greatest of all gifts. During difficult times, I have felt the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit during times of fear, worry, and uncontrollable tears:

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly.

Father, I am thankful for the people you have placed into my life – a godly wife, loving parents, a dear brother and sister, in-laws that raised my wife in the faith, and a wonderful extended family.

Father, you have also provided my wife and I many other things for which we are thankful – a good home, a church that has been our home for more than twenty-five years, a career that was enjoyable and fulfilling, good friends – so many of whom are hurting this day – five dogs during our married life together, the joy of a good ballgame, the beauty of Your creation in fall colors and the power of an ocean, music, and so much more.

I thank you for all of these blessings and more, this day and every day:

For every day I have on earth
Is given by the King.
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow Him.

In Jesus’ precious name I pray,
Amen