Thanksgiving Table Devotional
While I was too young to remember this myself, my grandmother used to always read a devotional before a big family holiday meal. I try to carry this tradition forward in my own family. Below is a short devotional that my family will be reading at Thanksgiving this year, along with a prayer.
The Thanksgiving Devotional is appropriately short, to ensure that your potatoes and turkey are still hot. And that people aren’t too antsy waiting to dig in.
I recommend that you read the passage out of your own personal Bible. While your phone is a perfectly valid place to read the Bible, there is something special about reading from a printed Bible.
Thanksgiving Table Devotional
Today, I am going to read a passage from Colossians. In this passage Paul instructs us to make peace with one another, to be thankful for each other, and to give thanks to God. On Thanksgiving, we are reminded of how truly blessed we are, and that God is honored by our fellowship together.
Bible Reading
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
Dear Lord,
Today we come only with prayers of Thanksgiving. Thank you for all of the food we are about to eat. Thank you for always providing for us, and today for providing food in abundance. Thank you for the fellowship of friends and family. Thank you for safe travel here so that we could all be together. Thank you for our host, [name of host], for all of the work they have done to prepare their home to receive us. Let it be a reminder to us, that you too are also preparing a home for us in heaven. God, thank you most for providing this season of gratitude for us. Let it prepare our hearts for the Christmas season that is up ahead.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
More Thanksgiving Blessings:
