15 DAYS NOVENA FOR THANKS GIVING: DAY 11

Novena runs from 17th December to 31st December.

INTRODUCTION

The Bible is filled with commands to give thanks to God (Psalm 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 1 Chronicles 16:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Most verses go on to list reasons why we should thank Him, such as “His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:3), “He is good” (Psalm 118:29), and “His mercy is everlasting” (Psalm 100:5). Thanksgiving and praise always go together. We cannot adequately praise and worship God without also being thankful.
Feeling and expressing appreciation is good for us. Like any wise father, God wants us to learn to be thankful for all the gifts He has given us (James 1:17). It is in our best interest to be reminded that everything we have is a gift from Him. Without gratitude, we become arrogant and self-centred. We begin to believe that we have achieved everything on our own. Thankfulness keeps our hearts in right relationship to the Giver of all good gifts.
Giving thanks also reminds us of how much we do have. Human beings are prone to covetousness. We tend to focus on what we don’t have. By giving thanks continually we are reminded of how much we do have. When we focus on blessings rather than wants, we are happier. When we start thanking God for the things we usually take for granted, our perspective changes. We realize that we could not even exist without the merciful blessings of God.
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We are to be thankful not only for the things

we like, but for the circumstances we don’t like. When we purpose to thank God for everything that He allows to come into our lives, we keep bitterness at bay. We cannot be both thankful and bitter at the same time. We do not thank Him for evil, but that He is sustaining us through it (James 1:12). We don’t thank Him for harm He did not cause, but we thank Him when He gives us the strength to endure it (2 Corinthians 12:9). We thank Him for His promise that “all things will work together for the good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We can have thankful hearts toward God even when we do not feel thankful for the circumstance. We can grieve and still be thankful. We can hurt and still be thankful. We can be angry at sin and still be thankful toward God. That is what the Bible calls a “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). Giving thanks to God keeps our hearts in right relationship with Him and saves us from a host of harmful emotions and attitudes that will rob us of the peace God wants us to experience (Philippians 4:6–7).

HOW TO PREPARE FOR EACH DAY

1. Prepare an atmosphere of worship
2. Read Christ’s words to you
3. Read the scripture reflections and ask yourself these three questions;
• Which passage means most to me
• What do I feel as I read?
• What will I say to Jesus who has spoken to me personally through the passage?
4. Use the prayer response given and feel free to add to it or make your own prayer. As you make your own prayer, remind Jesus of your pain or your need for healing.
5. Write down your case with God and address this case throughout the 15 days. Use your case to generate petitions for the closure mass

OPENING PRAYERS

(The following prayers will be prayed daily for 15 days.

Prayer One

Thanksgiving Blessing O God, We thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass. We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn’s fruit, rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers. Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory. For each new dawn is filled with infinite possibilities for new beginnings and new discoveries. Life is constantly changing and renewing itself. In this new day of new beginnings with God, all things are possible. We are restored and renewed in a joyous awakening to the wonder that our lives are and, yet, can be. Amen.

PRAYER 2

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions. They lift me up in ways that keep my eyes focused on you and make my spirit soar.
Also, thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe. You protect me from those things that seem to haunt others. You help me make better choices and provide me with advisors to help me with life’s difficult decisions. You speak to me in so many ways so that I always know you are here.
And Lord, I am so grateful for keeping those around me safe and loved. I hope that you provide me with the ability and sense to show them every day how much they matter. I hope that you give me the ability to give to them the same kindness they have provided to me.
I am extremely grateful for all of your blessings in my life, Lord. I pray that you remind me of just how blessed I am and that you never allow me to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness.

LORD’S PRAYER…..

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

DAY 11: SCRIPTURES FOR MEDITATION

John 4:34
Jesus *said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.
Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Romans 1:17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

FOR OUR GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIC LEADERS.

A PRAYER FOR OUR STATE LEADERS

Heavenly Father, just as you gave wisdom to Moses to appoint elders among the Israelites, you blessed our founders with the wisdom to divide our country into individual states. You have empowered our governors and state legislatures to make laws and decrees which manage our daily lives, make our lives safe, and protect us from federal government overreach. We pray for our senators and our state legislatures, members of parliaments and Women Reps. Please give strength and wisdom to them and guide their decisions and may they always put love first. Surround them with people from all walks of life and many backgrounds. Bring to them people of high moral character and spiritual maturity. Among the many voices which cry out to them every day, may they hear your voice above all others. As we look to our senators for assurance and guidance, especially at times of crisis, inspire them and speak through them by the power of your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OUR LOCAL LEADERS

Jesus, you were born in a little town. You grew up under the authority of local leaders and officials who managed the majority of your daily life. We lift up our local leaders today. We pray for our Governors, MCAs, county commissioners, police chiefs, judges, and all who serve our local communities. Strengthen them with wisdom and grace for the heavy burdens they carry. May they manage their teams and projects with love. Keep their hearts pure and their eyes turned toward your face as they work in the best interests of the people they are called to serve.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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