How do you express your thanks to God?  Do you sing?  pray?  write?  create?  As we approach Thanksgiving, I have been mediating upon this question.  How do I express my thanks to my God?  

The Christian life is one that is characterized by thanksgiving.  In the institution of the Eucharist, Christ “took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it.”  In fact, the word Eucharist means thanksgiving.  Every time that we partake in the Eucharist we are giving thanks to God for the gift of Christ by participating in the divine mystery of salvation.

Akathist of Thanksgiving

In the Orthodox Church, we also pray prayers that are called Akathist hymns.  Akathist hymns are dedicated to a particular saints, events, or a person of the Trinity and are designed to guide a Christian’s prayers and meditation upon that person or event.  The word Akathist itself means “not sitting,” as the general posture for prayer in the Orthodox Church is standing.  The most famous Akathist hymn (referred to generally just as The Akathist) is dedicated to the Theotokos (Mary) and is a part of the Lenten services.

Today I wanted to share with you a very beautiful Akathist hymn that is quite appropriate to this time of the year.  It is called the Akathist of Thanksgiving and is attributed to Metropolitan Tryphon of Russia in 1934.  This prayer would make a meaningful addition to your Thanksgiving plans.  Imagine the powerful impact that gathering together in your icon corner and praying as a family on Thanksgiving will have on your children and any guests that are visiting.

Here is the beginning of the Akathist of Thanksgiving:

Akathist of Thanksgiving

Glory be to God for Everything

Kontakion 1

Incorruptible King of all ages, holding in your hand every path of human life through the power of your saving Providence. We thank you for all the good things You do, those we know and those we don’t know, for earthly life and the heavenly joy of Your Kingdom to come. Hold us in Your mercy now and ever, we who sing:

Glory to You, O God, unto ages of ages.

Ikos 1

Into the world I was born as a weak, helpless child, but Your Angel spread wings of light over me, guarding my crib. Ever since then, Your love lights all my paths, wonderfully guiding me towards the light of eternity. Gloriously, the generous gifts of Your Providence have been manifest from the very first day. I am thankful to You and with all who have come to know You, call out:

Glory to You, Who called me to life,

Glory to You, Who have shown me the beauty of the universe,

Glory to You, Who have opened before me the sky and the earth as an eternal book of wisdom,

Glory to the eternity of You in the midst of the world of time,

Glory to You for Your hidden and evident goodness,

Glory to You for every sigh of my sadness,

Glory to You for every step of my life, for every moment of joy,

Glory to You, O God, unto ages of ages.

To read and print the rest of the Akathist of Thanksgiving go here.

In all of the busyness of preparation for Thanksgiving, let us not forget the God to whom we are thankful.  Let us pray in spontaneous overflows of gratitude.  Let us pray with the Church throughout time and space through prayers and Akathists.  Let us partake of Christ in the Eucharist.

Let us truly give thanks.

(Linked to Small Victories Sunday, Share the Wealth, Tips and Tricks.)