Thanksgiving is typically the time of year when families gather around the table for one epic shared meal. Oftentimes, this is one of the few times we get to spend time with or hear about our extended family members. This annual check-in is an opportunity to intercede on behalf of loved ones. We get to share some of their burdens and share God’s love and truth with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandmas, and more!
Let this time spent breaking bread together be a chance for renewed hope and connection in your family and close community. Despite all the things to worry about and all the challenges that come with family, we are blessed to have one another. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to be a part of this season of celebration and gratitude. He is able to do so much more than we can think, ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). May you see him work mightily in your families this holiday season.
Here are some prayers for your extended family members this Thanksgiving:
1. A Prayer for Salvation
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10
Lord, you know the hearts of my loved family members that have not surrendered their lives over to you. Would you soften their hearts and open their ears to hear the truth of your Word this holiday season. Give me the words that will help illuminate your truth when interacting with them. May you speak to them knowing that they are loved and that you desire to have a personal relationship with them. Use their circumstances, no matter good or bad, to bring them closer to you. Change their lives through your saving power. Thank you, Lord, for your gracious gift of your Son. Amen.
2. A Prayer for Those Who Are Grieving
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Father, while we do not see our grief and loss as a blessing, I thank you that you do. You promise to bless and comfort us, even in our darkest season. Would you be the great Comforter to my loved ones that are walking through a season of grief and loss. Provide peace and strength for their weary hearts. Show them your ways and teach them even as they feel stuck in a dark place. Give me your heart of compassion and empathy for them this Thanksgiving. Fill my mouth with your wise words of love. Amen.
3. A Prayer for the Anxious
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Jesus, I thank you that you are with us wherever we go! For those who are struggling with stress and anxiety, would you remind them that you are with them, and you desire them to live with peace. Give them wisdom on the best way to remedy their anxious mind and the wisdom to find the resources or support required to break free from anxious living. Remove the shame that they may feel over the struggle they are facing in their mind. Comfort them, reminding them that you love them! Amen.
4. A Prayer for Joy
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
God, I thank you that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Would you fill my loved ones' hearts with joy in this holiday season? May you remind them to slow down and truly take time to count their many blessings. Inspire laughter, connection, sweet memories, and deep gratitude this Thanksgiving. Give us eyes to see the ways we are all blessed to be each other's people. Help us to feel free to rejoice in you this holiday season. Amen.
5. A Prayer for Wisdom
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
Lord, would you give my family wisdom that is pure. Fill our homes with peace. Let us find gracious rest in you. Let us use gentle words when iterating, remembering to live with the fruits of the spirit. May we be merciful with one another just as you are merciful with us. Would you help our communications be sincere and kind. Give us the strength to control our tongues so we can interact with harmony and show your love. Amen.
6. A Prayer for Hope
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Lord, you know the burdens that our family is carrying. By your grace, bring hope to the sick hearts that are struggling in our midst. Allow them to see their desires fulfilled. Remind them that you are faithful and able to provide. Show them your ways, teach them your paths, and guide them through this season to new life. Amen.
7. A Prayer for Healing
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15
Jesus, I thank you that you care about our bodies. You see our suffering and are gracious to relieve it. I pray that you would bring healing to my loved one. Relieve their pain, set their body into full working order, and comfort them as they battle sickness. Supply for all their needs. Miraculously touch their minds, soul, and body. Bring every cell back into working order. In your powerful name, we pray, Amen.
May Jesus be near you and your family this Thanksgiving season. Would the table covered in delicious treats be a space where forever memories are made. Celebrating is such a sweet time to experience God’s goodness. Would your eyes be opened to see his miracles as they come in this season.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/SARINYAPINNGAM
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
This article is part of our larger Thanksgiving Resource Library. Learn about the first Thanksgiving, what Thanksgiving means in the Bible, how to get along with your family, and ways you can make this celebration more meaningful.
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