11/27/2025
Loving and merciful God, this Thanksgiving, we come before You with hearts that are full of gratitude, and for many, full of sorrow. You see the empty places at our tables this year and the empty spaces in our hearts.
We remember those who once sat with us, who shared our meals, our stories, our laughter and our tears— especially our parents, grandparents, spouses, children, family, and friends who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.
Lord, we thank You for the gift of their lives:
for the faith they handed down, for the example of their love,
for the way they taught us the meaning of gratitude, of hard work, sacrifice, and trust in You.
Though they are no longer with us in this life,
we trust in Your promise that they are alive in Christ,
and we ask You to bring them into the joy of Your eternal Kingdom.
On this day of Thanksgiving,
open our eyes to the blessings we still have:
the food on our tables, the roofs over our heads,
the warmth of our homes, the gift of our families, friends, and faith community.
Help us to never take these gifts for granted, especially when so many of our brothers and sisters struggle without enough food, shelter, or companionship. Fill our grieving hearts with the quiet consolation of Your Holy Spirit.
Let the memory of our loved ones draw us closer to You
and to one another and help us to honor them by living lives of gratitude, mercy, and generosity.
As we gather around our tables this Thanksgiving, may we feel the loving presence of those we miss, and may the hope of the Resurrection remind us that in You, Lord, goodbye is never the final word.
