A Concord Pastor Comments: As Thanksgiving approaches...

The Empty Chair by Dena Cardwell

For those grieving the loss of a loved one, Thanksgiving and "the holidays" can be a particularly difficult time. Anticipation of these special days begins early and so I'm posting this prayer today, a week ahead of Thanksgiving Day...

A Prayer at an Empty Chair

This Thanksgiving, Lord,
there’ll be an empty chair at our table,

an ache in our hearts

and tears on our cheeks...

We might shield others from our grief
but we can't hide it from you...

We pray for (name your loved ones)
whose loving presence we'll miss

at this homecoming time...

Help us remember and tell again

the stories that knit us as one

with the ones we miss so much...

Open our hearts to joyful memories

of the love we shared
with those who've gone before us...

Let the bonds you forged so deep in our hearts

grow stronger yet
in remembering those who've left our side...

Help us pray and trust that those we miss
have a home in your heart

and a place at your table forever
and that one day we'll be one with them
once again...

Teach us to lean on you and on one another
for the strength we need

to walk through these difficult days...

Open our eyes and our hearts

to the healing, the warmth
and the peace of your presence...

Give us quiet moments with you in prayer,

with our memories and loss,

with our thoughts and tears...

Be with us to console us

and hold us in your arms

as you hold the ones we miss...

Even in our grief, Lord,

this is the day that you have made:

help us be glad in the peace you've promised,

the peace we pray you share
with those who've gone before us...

For ourselves, Lord,

and for all who find the holidays to be a difficult time,

we make this prayer...

Amen.

Prayer can provide a path through these days as well as opportunities for acceptance, healing and helping one another. You might pray this alone as Thanksgiving approaches or print it, forward, share and post it for others who might find it helpful...