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GIVING THANKS FOR THE GIFT OF CREATION

O God, we thank you for this earth, our home,

For the wide sky and the blessed sun,

For the salt sea and the running water,

For the everlasting hills and the never resting winds.

For trees and the common grass underfoot.

We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendour of summer fields,
And the taste of Autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of snow,
And smell the breath of spring.

Grant us a heart wide open to this beauty,
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush
Is aflame with your glory, O God our Creator,
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
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~ Walter Raushenbusch ~

It is the mark of a Christian to give thanks to God in all circumstances.   
It is easy to give thanks when things are going well in life.  
It is entirely a different thing to give thanks in the bad and sad times.

 Rejoice always, pray continually, 
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1st Thessalonians 5:17-18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made
 for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet 
lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, 
who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 
1st Timothy 2:1-4

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. 
Meister Eckhart