Thanksgiving Day Prayers (Lutheran Books of Prayer)

“Great and merciful God and Father, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, on this day of our national thanksgiving, I appear before Thee with gratitude in my heart and praise upon my lips. I extol Thee who hast opened Thy hands to supply our needs and Thy heart to forgive us our many sins. Thou hast permitted our fields to be tilled, the seed to be sown, the grain to ripen, the harvest to be gathered, gardens and orchards to give their yield. Thou hast prospered industries and business. Thou hast blessed the labors of our hands. Thou has preserved peace within our borders and spared our country from the horrors of war. Thou hast mercifully permitted the nation to pursue its course under the protection of our Constitution, granting us liberty of conscience and worship, freedom of speech and movement. I confess that we are unworthy of all these many blessings and undeserving of Thy love. Forgive us our many transgressions, and draw us closer to the heart of Christ, our Redeemer, who has atoned for all our iniquities. Continue Thy blessings on our beloved land; grant us an enduring peace and continued prosperity; graciously provide employment for all breadwinners. Let Thy Gospel be preached throughout the length and breadth of the nation for the salvation of many souls. Hear me for the sake of Thy Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. (1951 Lutheran Book of Prayer)

Heavenly Father,

From whom come all good and perfect gifts,

from whom come mercies new each day,

from whom come blessings beyond measure:

Accept our thanksgiving

for protection and those who provide it,

for daily bread and those who prepare it,

for clothing and those who manufacture it,

for family and those dear to us,

for friends and those associated with us,

for jobs and those working with us,

for social security and support programs.

We confess we think too little

about the fact that we deserve nothing,

about the many who serve us,

about the blessings of Your Spirit.

We pray You,

forgive our ingratitude,

open our eyes to behold Your goodness,

fill our hearts with thankfulness,

make us respond in appreciation,

help us to serve in love.

We thank You: through Christ, our Lord,

Your best gift to us. Amen.

(1970 Lutheran Book of Prayer)