A Thanksgiving Prayer

Happy Thanksgiving to my readers from the U.S.!  When I reflect on what being thankful means to me, I quickly realize that very little of who I am or what I do or what I have is a result of my own efforts.

Yes, there is work I must do.  But God takes my feeble efforts and makes something out of them.  I do what only I can do…and God does what only He can do.

Earlier this week, I came across this poem/hymn by Mathius Claudius, called “We Plow the Fields,” which beautifully expresses this sentiment, and reminds me of the many blessings from God that I can be thankful for:

We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

He only is the Maker of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.

We thank You, then O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food;
Accept the gifts we offer for all Your love imparts,
And what You most desire, our humble, thankful hearts.

–Mathias Claudius

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