Thanksgiving Dinner Devotion
A Christian Dinner Table Activity
It's easy, during the holidays, to get lost in lists and preparations and miss the reason for the season. Thanksgiving Dinner is not just a meal to share with family and friends, but a time to remember the many blessings in life and offer thanks to God. The following Christian dinner activity, shared at the dinner table, will begin Thanksgiving dinner with God as the center.
Step 1: Gather at the Table
Invite the Thanksgiving guests to be seated at the table when the food is ready to serve. For this dinner table activity, explain that the meal will begin with the following short devotion, and invite everyone to get comfortable. The exercise should not take more than five minutes, so the food will not get cold.
Step 2: Prayer of Thanks
The designated leader begins with the following prayer:
"Loving God, thank you for everyone gathered here, for this food and all of the hands that prepared it. This dinner is but one of the many blessings in our lives, blessings from a good and loving God. Thank you for sharing so much with us and for giving us the source of all light and life, your son Jesus Christ. We owe you everything, God, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your goodness and mercy. "
Step 3: Invitation to Share
The leader then invites everyone at the table to share something they give thanks for this Thanksgiving. Go around the table, and offer guests the option to pass in the group sharing. Some people may feel more comfortable speaking silently to God in their hearts than aloud to a group.
Encourage children by addressing them by name and asking them personally what they are thankful for. If they look confused, reword the question and offer some suggestions.
Step 4: Share the Word
Read Psalm 65:5-8, praising God's power and glory.
"By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation. You are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might. You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples. Those who live at earth's farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy."
Step 5: Close in Prayer
Invite everyone at the table to hold hands and join together in the Lord's Prayer. When the group activity is finished, invite the Thanksgiving guests to enjoy dinner together, yet another reason to give thanks.
For other November prayer ideas, one may enjoy Prayers for November: Blessing a November Birthday, Grace for Thanksgiving Dinner, and More.
Source: Holy Bible: NRSV. Oremus.org. 2008.
Thanksgiving Family Dinner
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