Giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day usually happens while the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes sit on the table growing cold. So how can we show God our gratitude and still be able to enjoy the food hot? We can make the entire meal a celebration of praise by using stories.

Stress and Distraction

In my experience, a long prayer before a Thanksgiving or other holiday meal can result in stress for the cook or cooks. They might have worked days to provide a wonderful dinner, only to have it get cold before anyone tastes the food.

Also, hungry children (and famished adults) can be distracted during the blessing by all the delightful smells before them.

Finally, the person or persons offering the prayer might feel pressured to speed it up, knowing everyone wants to eat.

Gratitude and Hot Food

On Thanksgiving and every day, God deserves our thoughtful and sincere thanks for all He has provided.

Make God your guest of honor. When grace is offered, welcome His presence and thank Him for the people who have gathered and the food He has provided. Then begin the meal.

Stories and Thanksgiving

After everyone has been served, remind those at the table that prayer is conversation with God.

Ask each person to tell about something God has done for them or others. Have the speaker explain what made the event special. Then everyone can thank God for that blessing. All of your family and guests can tell multiple stories.

As you express gratitude to God, just as though He’s sitting at the table, you can turn each story into a prayer.

Try to keep the conversation natural instead of formal. That way everyone will feel comfortable talking about God’s goodness.

Planning and Practice

It might help some of your diners to prepare ahead of time. A few days before your holiday meal, tell your family and guests you would like them to tell real-life stories about some ways God has blessed them.

If children feel shy about telling stories at the table, encourage them to draw pictures showing why they feel thankful. A child could also bring a stuffed animal who could “tell” the story as the child speaks behind it.

Encourage children to practice telling their stories beforehand, if they would feel more comfortable.

However, don’t let the thought of telling stories become a stressor for the child. Some children will do better if they just join in the conversation during the meal. Do whatever is best for your child.

Honor and Praise

Thanksgiving dinner should be a time of celebration, honoring and praising the Creator and Provider of all. Make your dinner a meal-long prayer of thanksgiving by using stories. And enjoy your food hot.

© 2021 Jeanne Dennis

Jeanne Dennis is the award-winning author of several books, including Annabella’s Crown, a parable to help children understand God blesses us because He loves us, not because we earn it. Visit her website here.