A Prayer of Hope and Encouragement For Thanksgiving

Father, if directed by my flesh alone, thanks might not pass from my lips easily today. My heart aches for the little ones who are missing from our family gathering. Their absence is felt deeply; their empty chairs taunt me. I am undone.

In my sorrow, I call out to You, “How long, O Lord? How shall I endure this terrible affliction? These empty arms are more than I can bear!” I bring You my tears, my brokenness, my longing.  I know Your mercy will be enough. It always has been. You always have been.

My cries matter to You. Each new day greets me with fresh mercy. My heart, shattered by grief, is being made whole once again. If left on my own, I would be living in darkness—a pit of despair and brokenness. But You have not left me. No, You have preserved me, restored me. When I am unable to stand, You lift me up. As I walk through this valley, You are there beside me every step of the way.

Death has robbed me of two precious treasures, but You will not allow its triumph. In fact, You have secured death’s defeat through the blood of Your Son. For this reason alone, my praise to You shall be unending. How could I ever thank You enough for the sacrifice made on my behalf? 

My heart bursts with thanksgiving, for Your name is worthy of my praise. How could I keep from rejoicing? You have lavished me with Your favor. I can see now that even my suffering has been a precious gift from You. Painful, yes, and certainly not what I would have chosen for myself, but a gift nonetheless. For from it, I have come to know you more deeply and love you more intimately.

Our holiday celebrations will always be short two sets of laughter, two eager appetites, two precious smiles. Oh, how I miss them! But when the waves of grief wash over me, You hold me fast. Though sorrow threatens to overwhelm me, in You I am made strong. Let my life be a testimony of Your faithfulness.

You have turned my mourning into joy. The grief is not gone. It never will be. But my heart cannot be silent. You have sustained me, comforted me, redeemed me, and you hold my babies, even now. So, while Thanksgiving holds a fresh reminder of the ones who have gone home before me and the ache that has taken their place, my lips will still praise You. 

I can give thanks today, and every day, because You are unchanging. 

You are good. 

You are enough.

Thank You, Lord. Amen.

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“I will extol You, O Lord, for You have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to You for help,
    and You have healed me.
O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints,
    and give thanks to His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
    and His favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    “I shall never be moved.”
By Your favor, O Lord,
    You made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face;
    I was dismayed.
To You, O Lord, I cry,
    and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
“What profit is there in my death,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You?
    Will it tell of Your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
    O Lord, be my helper!”
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
  You have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever!”
Psalm 30:1-12

Ashlee is the Editorial Coordinator for Hope Mommies and author of I AM (Hope Mommies, 2017) and Identity (Hope Mommies, 2018). She and her husband, Jesse, live in Milwaukee with their children—five on earth and two in heaven.

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