[This is an updated version of an original post from 11/24/09]

Since this Thursday is the Thanksgiving holiday it seems like a good time to sit down with a cup of tea and count my blessings.

I once heard that a good recipe for prayer is to include Praise, Thanks, Confession, Intercession for others and Petitions. I try to follow that pattern in my nightly prayers, so I am kept aware of my many blessings.

Each night when I reach the Thanks section of my prayer I always include:

• my salvation
• my children and grandchildren
• all the terrible things that did not happen that day
• my sisters and extended family
• my friends
• my job
• my abilities and possibilities
• my health
• my home
• my car

This has become my nightly litany, sometimes recited by rote, sometimes with more emphasis, but even a hurried repetition makes me aware of all that I have and more sensitive to the people who don’t have my blessings.

Above and beyond the usual blessings, though, are the many small, even mundane, things which are so easily taken for granted, but deserve gratitude, as well, such as the gift of reading and comprehension.

Some others I can think of:

• my sons making me laugh so hard my sides ache
• shoes that don’t hurt my feet
• music that lifts my spirits, soothes or moves me, and ears that are able to hear it

I could go on and on, once I begin to remember what bring me joy or comfort.

Pentecost is a Jewish holiday of thanksgiving. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit first came to Christ’s followers on that thanksgiving holiday.

Consciously, earnestly counting our blessings and giving thanks to God for them nourishes our spirit and keeps us more in tune to The Spirit, even today.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.