Almighty God, our creator and the creator of all people, in the rare quiet moments of our lives, we are very much aware of your presence. Likewise, we are inclined to be grateful and to give thanks when everything is going well for us. Forgive us for that, God, and teach us the true meaning of gratitude. Open our eyes anew to the magnificence of the natural world, make us sensitive to the miracles of every day. Grant us the grace to be thankful for the commonplace. God, you have poured into our lives an abundance of good things: you have given us life itself, people to love, air to breathe, and water to drink. You have given us each other and the rich experience of being loved by others. You have given us freedom and dominion over creation; responsibility for our destiny and the destiny of our fellow brothers and sisters.

Let us pray for others;

for those whose poverty is magnified by our affluence;

for the hungry and cold throughout the world;

for those suffering within the tragedy of war;

for our families and friends;

for someone we have offended or who has offended us;

for the leaders of our nation and nations around the world;

for the men and women of our armed forces;

God, we are grateful for all you are and for all you have given us. Teach us to be compassionate. Touch our hearts with the serious needs of others. Hear us now as we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

John M. Buchanan