Prayer of thanksgiving

God our creator,

We thank you for the order of the cosmos, for the regularity and complexity of the stars, for the reliability of molecules, and for the amazing way things fit together. We are grateful for the goodness and beauty found in the creation.

God our redeemer,

We thank you for those who follow the spiritual way, for those pilgrims who lead a good life, for those who foster a spirit of love, for those who search for truth, finding order and harmony in the creation, and for those who provide us with a dignity of character and grace. We are grateful for these companions of the way.

Holy God,

We thank you for those who lead us along the paths of peace and justice, for those who nurture our spirits when we are down, and for those who have patience with us, while we sort through our confusions. We thank you for those who are wise, and nudge us to find greater insights about the matters of the soul. We thank you for those who have the courage to confront evil, and for those who inspire us to the paths of holiness.

Forgive us when we lose our anger and seek revenge or retribution. Forgive us when we placate on matters of moral urgency, Forgive us when we do not listen to those with vision.

Grant to us today the insight to develop the character of your grace, To be in harmony with the creation and its order, To not fret over the things that do not matter, and to focus our energy to deal with the illusions of greed and conquest. Engage our souls with your holy way, so we may have the inner resources to love in the way your Son, Jesus taught us, Amen.