11/21/12- Giving Thanks Before the Turkey

¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.( John 6:11)

³⁰ If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?  ³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:30-31)

Thoughts: So this Thanksgiving 40 million people will travel over 50 miles to see a relative.  Many, even secular people, will stop and say a prayer of thanksgiving over their turkey.  For many it will be a leftover habit from a previous generation.  But for Christians, it is an opportunity to give thanks for blessings.  We see an example of Jesus blessing the food before he multiplied it for the 5,000.  We also see Paul blessing food (Acts 27:35) in the midst of a terrible storm believing he needed God's strength to survive.  In the passage above- the question was about eating certain kinds of food (meat that had been offered to pagan idols).  Paul's response was basically "if you thank God for it (bless it) it will not displease God if you eat it." 

     Saying "grace" is thanking God for the grace or gifts we have received.  It is also a "blessing" in that we are asking God to bless us with good food and strength that we might serve Him.  It is not a bad thing to remember the needy when we say grace.  

(Norman Rockwell, boy saying grace)

     Below are some blessings: 

[Short ones could be written out and said together]:
1. We praise you, my Lord God, King of the universe, for bringing forth bread from the earth.  (Jewish)

2. Lord, make us thankful for these and all your many blessings, in Christ's name.  

3. Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blest.  

4. Lord, make us thankful for these and all your many blessings. Bless this food to our use and us to your service.  Help us to be mindful of the needs of others, and forgive us of our sins. In Christ's name, Amen. 

5. Some have meat and cannot eat; some no meat at all.  We have meat and we can eat so the Lord be thanked. (Scottish)

6. All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above.  So thank the Lord, yes thank the Lord for all His love.  

7. Another option is to go around the table and have each person say one thing they are thankful to God for.  Then pray, "We remember, Lord Christ, that everything we have is a gift from you.  Help us to remember those who do not have enough and be both grateful and generous in your name."