Expressing Gratitude

Although I awake early each day, I’m not a morning person. I do not get out of bed full of enthusiasm for the day ahead. This is especially true when issues in my life or the world’s problems seem too challenging. Which is one reason I start my day with prayer and meditation. There are certain prayers I pray regularly that help me reset my mind, my spirit and my attitude.

Take, for example, the General Thanksgiving written by Bishop Edward Reynolds in the mid-17th century. It has a somewhat unfortunate beginning for our 21st century perspective when we describe ourselves as “unworthy servants.” This feels dissonant in our era which rightly values positive self-worth. So, let’s put the vocabulary in its proper theological context. Describing ourselves as “unworthy” is intended to remind us that God’s love and grace come to us always as gift. Worthy or not — and none of us are perfect — God’s love for us is unconditional and steadfast.

Set free from the need to prove our worthiness, we can simply be thankful for all God gives us. Praying this prayer regularly helps us to see that gratitude is not dependent on how we’re feeling on any particular morning. We may be in pain or grief, worried or anxious, happy or blessed. Regardless, the prayer invites us to be grateful for the most essential divine gifts: life, love, grace and hope. On good and bad mornings, we acknowledge the essential goodness of life.

Expressing gratitude each morning has the power to shape our attitude for the rest of the day. In the General Thanksgiving we don’t simply say we’re grateful. We ask God to give us the wisdom to live “with truly thankful hearts,” being grateful “not only with our lips, but in our lives.” For what purpose? To give up ourselves to God’s service and to walk before God “in holiness and righteousness all our days.”

Here’s the full text of the General Thanksgiving if you would like to pray it. You’ll also find it on page 101 of The Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks

for all your goodness and loving-kindness

to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation, preservation,

and all the blessings of this life;

but above all for your immeasurable love

in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;

for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,

that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,

not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up our selves to your service,

and by walking before you

in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen