This prayer could be voiced many ways, with or without the scripture that inspired it.

This version is for:

  • One voice leading the entire prayer, or
  • A different voice leading each stanza of the prayer.

Scripture Reading

So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

— 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. NRSV

 

Prayer: Most Blessed, Most Beautiful Christ

Most blessed, most beautiful Christ,
in you we receive all things
The receiving takes growth, so you give us guiding—
saints and sages and scripture
Thank you for the guiding

The receiving takes others, so you give us the world—
nature and neighbors and nations
Thank you for the world

The receiving takes change, so you give us seasons—
life and death and new life
Thank you for the seasons

The receiving takes time, so you give us time-
present and future and forever
Thank you for the time

Most blessed, most beautiful Christ
You give us yourself
And in you, O Christ
We belong
To you and to God and to all
Thank you for the giving

The congregation now offers their own prayers of thanksgiving, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer

Responsive Prayer: Most Blessed, Most Beautiful Christ

This version of the prayer is a call and response, one voice praying the regular print while the congregation prays the bold print.

Most blessed, most beautiful Christ,

in you we receive all things

The receiving takes growth, so you give us guiding—
saints and sages and scripture

Thank you for the guiding
in you we receive all things

The receiving takes others, so you give us the world—
nature and neighbors and nations

Thank you for the world
in you we receive all things

The receiving takes change, so you give us seasons—
life and death and new life

Thank you for the seasons
in you we receive all things

The receiving takes time, so you give us time—
present and future and forever

Thank you for the time
in you we receive all things

Most blessed, most beautiful Christ
You give us yourself
And in you, O Christ
We belong
To you and to God and to all

Thank you for the giving
in you we receive all things

The congregation now offers their own prayers of thanksgiving, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer

 

Most Blessed, Most Beautiful Christ © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com

Thanksgiving Worship Guide

Looking for more Thanksgiving Worship Resources

Thanksgiving Worship Guide

Don’t Miss

The Latest From Our Blog

Check out articles, featured illustrations, and book reviews on all different topics related to ministry.

Hard Holy Days and the Wondrous Mystery

Hard Holy Days and the Wondrous Mystery

Christmas is Over It’s Christmas morning, not yet light. I am ten years old, creeping down the stairs, and I am full of hope. My siblings and I were told there will be no Christmas. Our mother told us. She always tells the truth. But I believe in more than truth. Once...

The Power of Testimony in Worship

The Power of Testimony in Worship

At work, I am more than just a nurse. I am the hands and feet of God. … I am trying to be family to them. Faith is giving me strength to do that. The congregational response to this young woman’s testimony, spoken during an online worship service in the first months...

Football, Fame, and Family: The Beckham Docuseries

Football, Fame, and Family: The Beckham Docuseries

Who is David Beckham?  Is he the self-absorbed, fame-seeking, Calvin Klein underwear model, husband of a former Spice Girl, always looking to be the center of attention? Or is he something else? Were the snapshots and the soundbites on television and the internet fair...