For the expanding grandeur of Creation, worlds known and unknown, galaxies beyond galaxies, filling us with awe and challenging our imaginations;
We give thanks.
For this fragile planet earth, its times and tides, its sunsets and
seasons; We give thanks. For the joy of human life, its wonders and surprises, its hopes and achievements;
We give thanks.
For human community, our common past and future hope, our oneness transcending all separation, our capacity to work for peace and justice in the midst of hostility and oppression;
We give thanks.
For high hopes and noble causes,
for faith without fanaticism, for understanding of views not shared;
We give thanks.
For all who have labored and suffered for a fairer world, who have lived so that others might live in dignity and freedom;
We give thanks.
For human liberties and sacred rites, for opportunities to change and grow, to affirm and choose;
We give
thanks.
We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes, not by our words but by our deeds. We give thanks for these and for the bounty before us.
Amen.
Adapted from Eugene Picket
