Around the world, prayers prayers of giving have traditionally been led by community or religious leaders
to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
It
was in the centuries-old tradition of giving thanks that the Pilgrims sat down with the Wampanoag Indians for the first historic American Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Today, it's either moms or dads (or in some families, the kids) who begin a festive Thanksgiving meal with a special remembrance saying grace for blessings both big and small. Some families may observe a moment of silence, while others may hold hands as the prayer is recited.
While good fortune is a mainstay of Thanksgiving prayers, they may also include thoughts of the world's hungry and homeless. Some are light-hearted, funny, or completely ad-lib reflecting a family's own happiness or recent misfortunes, but most often
with fervent hopes of a bountiful year ahead ....
More
about Thanksgiving prayers around the Web:
Thanksgiving
Prayer - Nice
discussion on the origins of giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day with tips on creating
your own personal prayer, suggested Bible verses, a children's Thanksgiving prayer,
quotes & literary references.
Children's
Prayers of Thanksgiving - Lovely collection just for kids, and scroll
down to the bottom of the page for lots of related resources.