“Givingthanks Day”

By Bob Connor

Yes, I know…I spelled it backwards. My word processor has already drawn a squiggly red line under the word, thus inviting me to scramble to my spell checker for correction. But, of course, I spelled it this way deliberately…because there is a special day coming when we all should especially take time to engage in “giving thanks” to God.

That special day which occurs each year on the fourth Thursday of November comes close to the “Solemnity of Christ the King” as celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church and several other Christian churches. This solemnity is celebrated on the Sunday of November each year that falls between the 20th and the 26th of that month, inclusive, and marks the end of the ecclesiastical year. The next Sunday is the first Sunday of the season of Advent in preparation for Christmas. The month began with “All Saints Day,” celebrated on November 1. All of this should remind us all of the need for frequent prayer.

Prayer is just “talking to God”. There are many kinds of prayer – some we can do with our actions and without words. “Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words." –St. Francis of Assisi. For example, we pray when we perform a good deed.

Below are listed four familiar forms of prayer adapted from the web site http://www.rc.net/spokane/sacredheart/kindsof.htm:

· Thanksgiving is probably the highest form of prayer. Attending church service is the most perfect way to give thanksgiving. You are taking time out of your life and giving it to God. A grateful heart simply wants to say thanks – for life, for Faith, for redemption, for others, for this earth and all of its creatures.

· Petition is the most common form of prayer. We should not be shamed to ask God for what we need, but we should be especially attentive to the needs of others and especially to those who have so little in life. “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Matthew 5, 3.

· Adoration is a special type of prayer that involves a deep love and an awareness of God's "otherness" and our dependence on God. Often in this form of prayer, no words are spoken. It is an attitude, a stance, taken before God's majesty.

· Reparation is a form of prayer that, through sorrow and self-effacement, seeks forgiveness for sins. In the Catholic Church we begin each Mass with this form when we say or sing: “Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.”

We are approaching a part of the year which lends itself well to a multitude of prayers. So, may I suggest that you give a gift of a prayer of thanksgiving to God on “Givingthanks Day” or “Thanksgiving Day”?

Every department store and most retail establishments of any substantial size will surely remind us of the need to make our Christmas “gift list” for family members and friends. But, I’m going to suggest a “Givingthanks” or “Thanksgiving” List for God.

“Oh no…not another list,” you scream. Another list laden with the effort and expense of shopping for gifts or with the self-inflicted obligation contained in a list of “New Year’s Resolutions” and the attendant guilt feelings lurking therein and soon to infect us when we fail to “make good” on some or all of our promises.

No, this list will not cost you a nickel nor will it cover you with any burdensome obligations. In fact, it will probably relieve you of some burdens. It seeks only to encourage you to “give thanks” through prayer to God for all of your Blessings. You can surely come up with ten.

Use the form below to list ten special Blessings for which you wish to give God thanks. Make blank copies and pass them around the table with pens or pencils when you sit down for that big meal. Invite everyone to list their Blessings and, if they wish, share them.

^{"Lord, I thank you for the many Blessings that you have bestowed on me. I would particularly like to give thanks to You for the following Blessings:}

1___________________________________________

2___________________________________________

3___________________________________________

4___________________________________________

5___________________________________________

6___________________________________________

7___________________________________________

8___________________________________________

9___________________________________________

10__________________________________________

 ^Amen."

Then, do it! Pray to God and read Him your list – either out loud or silently. He will listen and you will feel good about it – guaranteed!

Bob Connor is a continuing education teacher at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. You can reach him at bobconn@earthlink.com