Week of Nov. 20 - 26, 2011

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

JESUS, who often went hungry with Your apostles,
we thank You for the opportunities to provide food
for those who have none,
and thus discover Your presence in them.

JESUS, who said “anyone giving a glass of water
to a thirsty person in My name gives it to Me,”
we thank You for the chance to provide water
for communities that had none.

JESUS, who often had no decent clothes
and who was hounded by the authorities as a vagabond,
thank You for letting us help some of Your brothers and sisters
who suffer the same fate today.

JESUS, who taught us to look for You in the sick,
the imprisoned, and the stranger,
help us reach out to those in our own society
who are lonely, old, ill, and unwanted.

JESUS, who taught us that man does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,
help us remember that the poor have spiritual
as well as material needs, and that we need to show them
YOU are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

JESUS, thank You for allowing us to accompany the poor
in their struggles to achieve a better life,
for when we are close to them,
we know we are close to You.

JESUS, help us who are poor and in need
To find in the faces of the poor we serve
Your own face, Your own presence, and Your strength.

AMEN.


"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”

— Psalm 9:1-2 (NIV)