www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer A Prayer of Thanksgiving for My Life

To follow up on Father Anthony's post on the Scripture section I went back to a prayer that I wrote some time ago when asked what I was thankful for in this life. I hope that this resonates with some of you, my brethren.

In Christ,

BOB
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Prayer of Thanksgiving for My Life

I thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, our God and our Sure Hope, for all the good things you have so abundantly poured out on me in this life. I thank you for the good people that you have placed in my life; for those who sponsored me to the Font of Life and the Laver of Regeneration; for those who trained me in the Faith and for those who have given and still give me strong, firm example; for those who have been my spiritual directors, confessors, and teachers; for those around me, brothers and sisters by Baptism and Chrismation, who share with me at Your Bloodless Sacrifice for the remission of all our sins and for a sure defense on the Day when You come for us.

I thank you for the Gift of the True Faith; for the Apostles, Saints and Martyrs who have gone before me and passed to me the purity of what You taught here on earth for all of us to have as our Way of Salvation; and for those whose quiet example may never get them canonized but who are the hidden treasures You take delight in.

I thank you for giving me the cross I bear and for the disappointments as well as the joys. I know it is because You love me and want to wear off all the rough edges so that I can become like You: forgiving, long-suffering, of great goodness to others, joyful in all that comes my way because I know deep inside me that Your Gracious Hand sends me everything.

I thank You, too, for having the patience that you have with me. I know that I can be troublesome, stubborn, and a hard one to teach.

Thank you for the opportunity to be among the good people on this Forum who nourish me and my spiritual life. Bless them. Give to each one whatever You know is necessary for health of soul, mind, and body in this life and in the life to come grant each one a favored place at the Table at the Wedding Feast in Your Kingdom. Grant, also, to each one who asks us to pray whatever is Your Will for the intention expressed.

Fill me and all my brethren in the Faith, at this season and always, with the Joy of Your Salvation and an abundance of the love You have for us. Let the love You pour so generously into each of us, poor vessels that we are, flow out to others so that all may experience it around us.

Lord, may Your Holy Name be praised and may this praise be also to Your Father Who is from everlasting and to the All-Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, who is our guide and protection, now and ever and unto ages of ages. AMEN.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us your humble and burdened servants. Spread your Protecting Veil over us until that day when you present us to Your Son. Thank you, Holy Mother, for the "yes" to God that allowed for our salvation. AMEN.