An Invitation to Pray: A Meditation on Gratitude

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Fr. Josh invites us to reflect on the ways God has been generous with us this year and guides us through a powerful meditation and a litany of gratitude.

Snippet from the Show

"Recognize to whom you owe the fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you understand, that you are wise, and, above all, that you know God and hope for the kingdom of heaven and the vision of glory, now darkly as in a mirror but then with greater fullness and purity. You have been made a son of God, co-heir with Christ. Where did you get all this, and from whom? "- St. Gregory of Nazianzen

A Meditation on Gratitude

Recognize to whom you owe the fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you understand, that you are wise, and, above all, that you know God and hope for the kingdom of heaven and the vision of glory, now darkly as in a mirror but then with greater fullness and purity. You have been made a son of God, co-heir with Christ. Where did you get all this, and from whom?

Let me turn to what is of less importance: the visible world around us. What benefactor has enabled you to look out upon the beauty of the sky, the sun in its course, the circle of the moon, the countless number of stars, with the harmony and order that are theirs, like the music of a harp? Who has blessed you with rain, with the art of husbandry, with different kinds of food, with the arts, with houses, with laws, with states, with a life of humanity and culture, with friendship and the easy familiarity of kinship?

Who has given you dominion over animals, those that are tame and those that provide you with food? Who has made you lord and master of everything on earth? In short, who has endowed you with all that makes man superior to all other living creatures?

Is it not God who asks you now in your turn to show yourself generous above all other creatures and for the sake of all other creatures? Because we have received from him so many wonderful gifts, will we not be ashamed to refuse him this one thing only, our generosity? - St. Gregory of Nazianzen

A Litany of Gratitude by Amy Troolin

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father, have mercy on us.

God the Son, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

For the gift of life, we thank You, Lord.

For the gift of salvation, we thank You, Lord.

For Your great mercy and forgiveness, we thank You, Lord.

For every grace, we thank You, Lord.

For the supernatural life in our souls, we thank You, Lord.

For Your divine indwelling, we thank You, Lord.

For eternal life with You, we thank You, Lord.

For all virtues, we thank You, Lord.

For our Baptism, we thank You, Lord.

For our Confirmation, we thank You, Lord.

For the Holy Eucharist, we thank You, Lord.

For the sacrament of Confession, we thank You, Lord.

For every sacrament, we thank You, Lord.

For all our prayers, we thank You, Lord.

For Sacred Scripture, we thank You, Lord.

For Sacred Tradition, we thank You, Lord.

For the Magisterium, we thank You, Lord.

For the Holy Church, we thank You, Lord.

For Mary, our Mother, we thank You, Lord.

For all the saints and angels, we thank You, Lord.

For our Holy Father, the Pope, we thank You, Lord.

For our bishops, priests, and deacons, we thank You, Lord.

For our family and friends, we thank You, Lord.

For our talents and skills, we thank You, Lord.

For our joys and delights, we thank You, Lord.

For every blessing, we thank You, Lord.

For our trials and sorrows, we thank You, Lord.

For the challenges we face, we thank You, Lord.

For the opportunities to grow, we thank You, Lord.

For everything we learn, we thank You, Lord.

For all the beauty around us, we thank You, Lord.

For everything You do for us and give us, we thank You, Lord.

For Your infinite love, we thank You, Lord.

Resources

• Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
• Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
• Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
• Pocket Guide to Reconciliation by Fr. Josh Johnson & Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.
  
  

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