Thanksgiving Day comes once a year, but if we turn our thoughts to thankfulness every day we reap the rewards of contentment and blessedness year round.

Thanksgiving Day Grace - Meal Prayer

"For all our family, and friends too
We give our thanks
Dear Lord to you.
For food to eat, for clothes to wear
For giving us the time to care
For teaching us that loving deeply
Lets us feel well, live completely.
As your children, young and old
For all these gifts and more untold
We give our thanks
Dear Lord to you."

A tradition my family has enjoyed on Thanksgiving Day is holding hands at the table before our meal and going around the table with each of us saying what we are thankful for. Even the little ones participate. Then we have the more formal meal prayer.

We like to set the table to reflect the meaning of the day with a centerpiece of candles and colored fallen leaves. I like to use gold and orange candles for the Thanksgiving centerpiece surrounded by oranges stuck with cloves. Before we begin the meal I heat apple juice or cider with a cinnamon stick to remind us that thanksgiving, daily, is the spice of life.

Thanksgiving and appreciation are qualities that warm our hearts and fill us with energy to think and act kindly. What better way is there for us to live in our world than by spreading kindness and joy wherever we are.

Here are a few links to more prayers and meditations for the holiday -

Thanksgiving Prayer and Meditation
Children's Prayers of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Peace Meditation
Interfaith Prayers and Meditations

Article and photo credit of Paleis Het Loo, The Netherlands by Susan Helene Kramer

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For offline reading

Meditation Lessons for Teens and Adults
More than 70 offerings, from guided meditation techniques to on-the-go stress relief and relationship meditations interspersed with verse, and a section of special occasion prayers. 114 pages.

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Meditation for all Kids
Sitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.