MODIM ANACHNU LACH – We are Grateful to You

A prayer you may wish to recite before your meal. For anyone who is alone, I invite you to call someone to read it together. – Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker

MODIM ANACHNU LACH – We are Grateful to You

We are grateful, Adonai, even in this time that challenges us. We give thanks for the food before us and all the people who brought it forth from the land, from seed to harvest to the grocery store, and the people who prepared it into our meal.

Before we eat, we take a deep breath as we focus on all our blessings.

We are grateful for life. We are aware how fragile it can be. We mourn those who have died in our community and world from the pandemic. We pray for healing for those who are now ill.

We are grateful for the medical professionals and front-line workers who serve our community. We will do our part to change our behaviors, to love our neighbors and ourselves as we are mindful to wash hands, physically distance, and wear masks.

We grieve those who are not at our table today. How we wished to celebrate in person! We pray that the end of this struggle is in sight and once again there will be a time for embracing.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we are grateful for the scientists working on vaccines to help bring that day soon and speedily. Until then, may we be patient and resilient with hearts open to gratitude. With that spirit, may we give tzedakah generously to those in need and reach out to those alone. Adonai, help us be fully aware of our gifts to make this world more whole, more just, and more loving.

Amen.