Thanksgiving 2023
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Ps. 9:1 (NIV)
As we gather once again to celebrate Thanksgiving, it seems fitting to reflect on the words of those who have authored words that we can recite and make our prayer.
Martin Rinkart, was a German theologian who wrote the following hymn during the 30 Years’ War during 1618-1648. In the text describing the setting of his writing this hymn, “It is a testament to his faith that, after such misery, he was able to write a hymn of abiding trust and gratitude toward God.”
Let this be our prayer this Thanksgiving:
Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
2 O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world in the next.
3 All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
Psalter Hymnal (Gray), 1987