A Thanksgiving Prayer

By Helen Steiner Rice

Thank You, God, for everything...

The big things and the small,

For "every good gift comes from God"...

The Giver of them all.

And all too often we accept

Without any thanks or praise,

The gifts You send as blessings

Each day in many ways.

And so, at this Thanksgiving time,

We offer up a prayer;

To thank You, God, for giving us

A lot more than our share.

First, thank You for the little things

That often come our way;

The things we take for granted

And don't mention when we pray.

The unexpected courtesy,

The thoughtful, kindly deed,

A hand reached out to help us...

In the time of sudden need.

Oh, make us more aware, dear God,

Of little daily graces,

That come to us with "sweet surprise,"

From never-dreamed-of places.

Then, thank You for the "miracles"

We are much too blind to see,

And give us new awareness

Of our many gifts from Thee.

And help us to remember

That the "key" to "life" and "living,"

Is to make each prayer a "prayer of thanks,"

And every day THANKSGIVING.