THANKSGIVING GRACE BEFORE MEALS

O God, Our Father, on this Thanksgiving Day we bow our heads to You in praise and give You thanks for Your unlimited generosity to us and to all our family. We thank You for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today. Bless those who prepared and serve it.

We thank You for our home, family and friends, for our health, our work and our play.  We thank You for the presence of those gathered here.

Help us to reach out in love to those who are hungry, alone, sick or suffering war or violence. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

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A BLACK FRIDAY PRAYER

Dear Lord and Brother Jesus,

Help me keep Your love in my mind and heart
as I venture into the Black Friday shopping scene.

Help me be patient in long lines,
show kindness in crowds,
and be respectful and selfless in all situations.

Do not let the spirit of greed and consumption
overtake me at any time during this shopping season.

Protection me and others as we travel.
Help me be patient and courteous in traffic.

Let me be mindful of my giftees’ needs
and not just their wants.
Remind me to be thankful for all that I have in my life,
especially, the people for whom I am shopping.

Remind me that others, near and far, have less than I.
Help me to reach out to them.

Help me think often of the true meaning of Christmas,
the love that You, the Father and the Holy Spirit have for us,
and not just about giving and receiving material gifts.

I am grateful for the means and ability
I have to shop for my loved ones.
I pray for the poor and for those
who have no one to be with them this Christmas.

Help me to reach out in love and mercy
all through the Christmas season.  Amen.

~Paraphrase of a prayer by the Catholic Company