I wrote a couple of weeks ago that the Lord’s Prayer seems to miss out our modern idea of thanksgiving. I have been pondering on this and wonder whether, as Jesus was talking to Jews when he gave the pattern prayer, he knew that thank-offerings were being made in the temple. Does the Old Testament idea of sacrifice become the New Testament idea of thanksgiving? Jesus became the once-for-all sacrifice, so the eucharistic prayer offered before we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, which commemorates that sacrifice, links the two elements of sacrifice and thanksgiving. But as most Congregational churches do not include a Holy Communion service on a weekly basis, is thanksgiving getting forgotten in public prayer? Or is it just amalgamated into the “opening prayer” in a service, which often covers: adoration, confession, thanksgiving and sometimes even intercession!
I knew an elderly gentleman (and he was: collar and tie, jacket, hankie folded in top pocket) who was, unfortunately becoming more demented as the months went by. He developed a lovely coping strategy. At the end of the service I would ask: How are you today? He had four stock answers, the best of which was: Well, I woke up breathing. Since I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I usually remember to be thankful when I too wake up in the morning. And I can usually add a prayer of thanks for a good night’s rest. But if my sleep has been troubled and interrupted, I can still be thankful for those quiet hours to spend with God – hours that are often difficult to find when the lights go on, then the kettle, then the mobile phone and the world rushes in.
One of my predecessors in ministry went everywhere by bus. I envied him the time he had in quiet contemplation between visits and meetings, whereas my emotional energy was spent battling traffic – although a couple of good sermon ideas did occur to me while I was sitting in jams. But that brings me on to another aspect of thanksgiving: we need to learn to be thankful for and use the time and space we have been given – not be jealous of someone else’s perceived luxuries. Susanna Wesley, surrounded by many children, would sit in her chair, Bible on lap, and throw her apron over her head – creating a space, even if not a quiet space!
So today, whatever our circumstances, let us give thanks! As Paul instructs “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NRSV).
(This is in the topical strand – so to make sure this is really topical – find something today, this hour, this minute for which to give God genuine thanks. For example: electricity and those who bring us its power; water and pipe layers; tea, coffee, sugar – the growers, packers, distributors; milk – the farmers etc. And that’s just your morning cuppa!)
Father God: Thanks ...
Elaine Kinchin
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