MY THANKSGIVING TRADITION

For many years on Thanksgiving morning, I have gone to a park or wooded area near my home to be alone with God for the purpose of thanking Him. I read from a list I prepare each year of the things I am grateful for. I usually do not share from my personal journals, but I thought this may be of help to anyone who has done this or may want to.

This is from my journal entry with this years list which I always incorporate into my prayer of thanksgiving. It is my prayer that you be blessed, helped, and perhaps start a yearly Thanksgiving tradition of your own.

Good morning Father,

I enter your gates with thanksgiving, and into your courts with praise! I give thanks to you and bless your name! (Psalm 100:4) On this Thanksgiving morning I thank you:

For who you are, for you alone are God and there is no other.

For saving me and for calling me into your service as a blessing to many.

For sending your only son Jesus Christ, to make redemption possible through his death and resurrection.

For giving me your Holy Spirit to be with me forever, my teacher my counselor and my advocate.

For your holy written word to guide me, teach me, reveal your plan of world redemption, and to transform me by the renewing of my mind until Christ is formed in me. (Psalm 119: 105, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 4:19, 2 Peter 1:3-4)

For answers to prayers too numerous to count.

For the many times you answered me before I prayed, for you have said “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

For grace sufficient for all our needs, for you are our sufficiency. (2 Corinthians 3:5)

For your steadfast love that endures forever, and your mercies toward me are new every morning, great is your faithfulness to me! (Lamentations 3:22-23) 

For my family, my wife who I love more than anyone, who has been with me most of my life, and has blessed me more than I could have hoped for.

For the blessing of raising a family together, for, in the good times and difficult times, your grace has always been sufficient for us.

For the founding and  Pastorate of House on the Rock these 22 years.

For all who have attended, been members, received help, received Christ, or served you here in any capacity.

For the honor and privilege to have taught, spoken, counseled, coached, giving my testimony, whether in friendship, a pastoral or business capacity for almost 40 years.

For Lions Pride Leadership Company, for my partners and all who work with us, and your anointing on what we do.

For Leading with Grace and its ongoing ministry to leaders and emerging leaders.

For the many doors of opportunity which you have opened to advance your cause. For the doors, you have closed in your providential care over my life and that of my family.

For your corrections and disciplines, though never joyful, yet so appreciated for protecting me from harmful consequences.

For both pleasant and unpleasant circumstances;  which you have designed and calculated for my benefit, for you continue to cause all things to conform to the counsel of your will.

For all the difficult experiences that you have worked together for the good of my family and ministry.

For the many friends and mentors you’ve provided, who have added value to my life through their wisdom, encouragement, and advice.

For your loving-kindness and so much favor undeserved that you have granted my family and me.

Father, when I look at your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,  what am I that you are mindful of me, and that you care for me?   Yet you have made us lower than yourself and crowned us with glory and honor.  You Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

I Thank you for this day, and I am forever grateful, Amen

Happy Thanksgiving to all, Many Blessings, Be Well and enjoy your day!

• Photos are my own taken at Roosevelt Park in Edison NJ