Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving written by Thomas Ken more than 300 years
ago. (Ken was the one who gave us the text for the traditional doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” You might even consider using this text
together with the sung doxology.)
Giver of All Good Things
Giver of all good things, we thank you:
for health and vigour,
for the air that gives the breath of life,
the sun that warms us,
and the good food that makes us strong;
for happy homes and for the friends we love,
for all that makes it good to live.
Make us thankful and eager to repay,
by cheerfulness and kindliness,
and by a readiness to help others.
Freely we have received; let us freely give,
in the name of him who gave his life for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Thomas Ken (1637-1711)
