“For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends, We thank you, Lord.”

Two Litanies for Thanksgiving
Litanies are longer prayers that take the form of call and response. These litanies for Thanksgiving can be used at church, in small groups, in a classroom, or at home. Usually, a leader reads the first part of each line, and the people respond with the italicized portion.

1. Litany at Harvest Time
Call to Worship
Eternal God of every season,
You remind us that we too live in the rhythm of the Earth.

Patient God of Winter,
You remain, offering an embrace of hope and warmth to our long nights and chilled spirits. 

Lifegiving God of Springtime,
You open your hand, restoring our lives with all good things and renewing the face of the earth.

Nourishing God of Summer,
All that we have is a sign of your love; all that we are is a gift from your grace. 

Glorious God of Autumn,
With people of every language and nation we bring the fruits and pains of our own labors. Let the sharing of these gifts proclaim our joyful hope even in the midst of uncertainty and change. Amen.

Time of Blessing
Creating God, we thank you for making the fruitful earth produce what is needed for life.
Bless those who work in the fields; grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness.

Gracious God, when you open your hand, you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Bless the land and the waters and give the world a plentiful harvest. 

Let your spirit go forth to renew the face of the earth.
Bless us all so that , as you show us your love and kindness in the bounty of the land and sea, your spirit might save us from the selfish use of your gifts. 

Glorious God, according to your wisdom the deep waters are opened up and the clouds drop gentle moisture.
We praise you for the return of planting and harvest seasons.

For the fertility of the soil,
For the harvesting of the crops,
And for all the other blessings which you in your generosity pour out for your people.

Silence

Bless all of us gather here.
Bless those who cannot gather. 

Bless those who face transition.
Bless those who fear newness.

Bless those in times of stress.
Bless us when we lack and yearn. 

Loving God, bless us in all of our seasons and give us a full understanding of our mercy.
And bless the world so that your children everywhere may give you thanks, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

2. A Litany of Thanksgiving (Book of Common Prayer, pages 836-837)
Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve
We thank you Lord.

For health and strength to work and leisure to rest and play
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity
We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Litany at Harvest Time was used in “A Festival of the Harvest,” held on October 17, 2005 in Marquand Chapel at Yale Divinity School. It is part of the collection in The Wideness of God’s Mercy edited by Jeffery W. Rowthorn (New York: Church Publishing, 2007).