Here’s a prayer from my forthcoming book Praying without Pretence: Honest Prayers for Honest People, due out this summer. Instead of asking God for something, as we so often do in prayer, it’s simply an outpouring of heartfelt thanksgiving.
When moved to thank God
Lord, I’m not pretending everything is perfect today,
for it isn’t,
not by a long way.
I’m rushed off my feet,
tired,
and not feeling great,
my health nowhere near what it used to be,
and I’ve plenty else on my mind to worry about:
work,
money,
family,
to name but some.
But never mind all that,
for today the sun’s shining,
birds are singing,
flowers bursting into bloom,
leaves appearing on the trees,
and for that reason alone,
life is special,
brimming over with beauty,
alive with possibilities,
precious beyond words.
So what if there’s the odd fly in the ointment?
There’s so much in each day that is still magical,
if I will only look and see.
Whether it be a drifting snowflake,
the caress of a breeze,
the murmur of a stream
the scudding of clouds;
or equally the hum of conversation,
bustle of a city,
drone of traffic
or throb of a factory,
I’m surrounded by countless wonders,
little short of daily miracles that help to make this world the awesome delight it is.
So today, Lord, I’m not asking for anything,
not seeking anything,
not expecting anything,
and definitely not complaining about anything.
I want simply to say thank you for everything I’ve received:
for the wonderful and precious gift of life.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Amen.