by
O. Eugene Pickett

For the expanding grandeur of Creation, worlds known and
unknown, galaxies beyond galaxies, filling us with awe and
challenging our imaginations:
We give thanks this day.

For this fragile planet earth, its times and tides, its sunsets and seasons:
We give thanks this day.

For the joy of human life, its wonders and surprises, its
hopes and achievements:
We give thanks this day.

For our 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 this day.

For high hopes and noble causes, for faith without
fanaticism, for understanding of views not shared:
We give thanks this day.

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 this day.

For human liberty and sacred rites; for opportunities to
change and grow, to affirm and choose:
We give thanks this day.

We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes, not by our words but by our deeds.