Thank you, Father,
For all You have given me -- much more than I could even count. For sunlight that streams into my window and warms my weary heart.
For moonlight on the nights I called out to You and let You wash away my tears.
For people who love me when I seem most unlovable but when I need their love the most.
For giving them the grace.For holding my heart when it is trembling.
For being that guiding Light when I am lost in the dark, with nowhere to go.
For caring enough to send the very best.For the peace that my prayers are answered.
For the power you give to such a weak soul as mine when I reach out and touch you. When I say "Dear God..." and You flow through me and suddenly everything makes sense again.
For taking away the confusion when my heart is aching and when I do not understand.
For soothing the fears that plague me so I can hardly move.
For putting a smile on my face and laughter in my heart at the strangest times.
For music which causes my very soul to sing and soar on the clouds towards You.For eyes to see the beauty of Your world -- each towering tree and misty sunset, each smiling face.
For voices which communicate love. To a heart so dry and hungering, they are like water.
For being the foremost of those voices, Lord, and the One who causes the rest to sing.
For the thrill of a new idea.
For the sweet serenity of a prayer answered -- a sweetness I hold close to me like a treasure, and I say "My God loves me."
For loving me enough to not answer all my prayers.
For wisdom to know what's best for me, and the never-ending love to always dispose it.
For miracles, and the joy of knowing You ever deeper.For loving me in the midst of my sin and bestowing blessings I could never deserve.
For the peace that infolds me with the simple knowledge that "Jesus cares."
For having the awesome power to move even the most formidable mountains. Mountains against which I struggle and rage and cry -- they are too big for me and I stand defeated. But You who made the stars and the earth and all the heavens can move them with the snap of a finger. And leave me awestruck with nothing to do but bow down to Your majesty with "Praise the Lord!" on my lips. And you say, "I'm not through with you yet, my child. Show me the next mountain..."
For the great adventure of a life lived with You!
For being there when my spirit cries
For wiping the tears away from my eyes
For holding my heart close
For loving me when I need it the most
For touching me with moonlight when I call out to You in the empty night
For the stars and the peace and for my tears and the feeling of You that surrounds me, soothing my fears
For the times when You have sustained me and I didn't even know it was You, too blind to see that over all I do is the guiding touch of Your hand Jesus
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Thank You, O Lord!
Thank You, O Lord, for Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the "one thing needed;" Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.
By Father Alexander Schmemann
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