Give thanks!

This is the opening prayer I did for the Thanksgiving party of our church:

Four hundred years ago, English pilgrims sailed to the new world called America to find an environment where they can worship God in spirit and in truth. As they set forth a journey through Mayflower and arrived in Plymouth colony, the pilgrims struggled to survive yet managed to live during the cold winter of November.

Learning their lesson from that heartbreaking winter, the pilgrims raised cattle and stocked food during summer to prepare for the gloomy season. They feasted with American Indians, which according to history is the origin of Thanksgiving Celebration.

As we remember what the pilgrims did four centuries ago, we thank you Heavenly father for helping us overcome the trials and blessing us tremendously this year.

Today, millions of Americans in the mainland and thousands of troops and their families overseas are celebrating Thanksgiving. Today, hundreds of families and friends here in Yokosuka feast together in front of a turkey as a symbol of togetherness and gratefulness.

We give thanks for we have surpassed trials and tragedies this year:

· We give thanks that despite the tsunami that hit the northern part of Japan and killed thousands of people in the area, you still magnified your sovereignty as our Lord and Savior.

· We give thanks for blessing us and delivering us paychecks despite the global economic recession still hitting the US and other countries as well.

· We give thanks for you have maintained peace and stability in the Pacific region and all the ships are safe. We give thanks for safe deployment and exercises this year.

· We give thanks for those sailors who got advanced this year, a testament of your mighty wisdom showering upon our careers.

· We give thanks for our families and friends who have kept faithful and loyal to glorify your name.

As we partake in this Thanksgiving feast, we pray to nourish our physical bodies. With our special Turkey, Afritada, and appetizing delicacies, bless us mightily.

This is the day that you have made. Lord, thank you. Lord, harigato gozaimas. We bring back honor and praises to you. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.