Thanksgiving Prayer in Times Likes These

Thank you, God, for your care for all creation.
You watch over the sun, whose rays warm us,
you order the moon, whose light silvers the night.
The seasons follow your guidance,
and we give thanks for farmers and their harvests;
for the last combines collecting the crops,
for golden stubble fields stretched out for a long rest.
Even as food is collected and stored,
we are mindful of places where food is hard to find;
the rains didn’t come, and the plants didn’t grow,
or hurricane winds blew the harvest away.
Open our hearts to share nature’s bounty
with all your children who are in need.
Thank you for your care for us,
for the way you bring people into our lives to love us.
Thank you for families, for friends, for our church community,
offering love and support.
You know that we care for each other,
yet we confess that we love imperfectly, sometimes grudgingly,
sometimes with only half a heart.
Give us the courage to apologize when apologies are necessary,
and to try to do our best, modelling ourselves on Jesus Christ,
who gave his whole life in service to others.
Knowing your care for us,
we are confident as we lift up those we love who are grieving,
or who face health challenges of various kinds.
We pray for newcomers to country, seeking a new home.
We trust that you can heal their sorrows
and give them a renewed sense of safety in the world.
We all long for safety, especially in times like these.
Where there is violence, we need your peace,
where there is instability, your calming presence,
where there is hatred, your abundant love,
where there is suspicion and fear, your assurance.
God of great gifts, we long for a harvest of righteousness;
equip us as your church to be agents of your kingdom,
ambassadors of hope, even in such a time as this.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.