Advent is almost upon us! This season marks two important dates in our Christian liturgical…
What happens when you ask an Imam, your own American Baptist pastor, and an AME pastor to write a Thanksgiving table blessing? You get some beautiful thoughts from Aqib Choudhury, Pastor Rebeccca Driscoll-Mygatt, and Pastor April Martin. We asked our closest neighbors to join us in this effort. We are so grateful for their friendship and collaboration. Please enjoy these diverse blessings and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Your friends and neighbors at The Baptist Church in the Great Valley
Thanksgiving Prayer
Holy God, You are the Creator of the earth and its abundance. We gather today with gratitude for the meal before us. We honor all those who dedicated their time and talent, and who made sacrifices, to plant, raise, grow, harvest, transport, and prepare this food. As we sit at this table of plenty, we remember those who are still hungry. We remember those whose tables have empty chairs. We remember those who, along with their ancestors, mark this day as a day of mourning. And we long for a day when hunger and sorrow and suffering are no more. Bless this meal so that it may nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits. May it strengthen us and embolden us to do the work You have called us to: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with You until all Your beloved children throughout creation have what they need and live in the fullness of Your abundance. All this, we pray in Your name of Love, Amen.
Rev. Rebecca W. Driscoll Mygatt, Pastor
The Baptist Church in the Great Valley
Devon, PA
Gracious and Eternal Father,
In this season of Thanksgiving, we do honor and bless your most Holy and Righteous name. We come before your throne with a heart of Thanksgiving. Thanking you for Your love and kindness towards us. Thanking you Lord, for your provision and protection, thanking you for your Presence and Power demonstrated in our very lives. Bless indeed our family and friends as we gather during this season to break bread one with another. And as we sit before our Thanksgiving meal, that has been prepared with much love, help us Lord never to forget those less fortunate than ourselves.
It’s in Christ name that we pray and say AMEN.
Rev. April M. Martin, Pastor
Mt. Zion AME Church
300 N. Fairfield Rd. Devon, PA 19333
historicmtziondevon@gmail.com
On behalf of the Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge, I am pleased to provide a prayer from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which we often recite in gratitude for food, sustenance and in all matters:
“In the Name of Allah (God), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. In the Name of Allah, in the beginning [of all matters] and at the end [of all matters]. All praise is due to Allah Who has given us food and provided for us, through no power or might from us. All praise is due to Allah who gave us food and drink, sufficed us, and gave us shelter. All praise is due to Allah who gave us food and drink and made us from those who submit [to Him]. Oh Allah, bless [the ones who prepared the food] in what You have provided them, forgive them, and have mercy on them.”
Aqib Choudhury, Imam
Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge
958 North Valley Forge Road, Devon PA 19333
council@isgvf.com
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