Prayer of Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving is the special virtue by which we offer thanks to God for benefits received.” — St. Thomas Aquinas

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Public Domain: The Institution of the Eucharist. Engraving by J. Keller after F. Overbeck via Wellcome Collection.

About This Prayer

This prayer of thanksgiving is inspired by the traditional Eucharistic prayers of St. Thomas Aquinas, which emphasize humility, gratitude, and complete trust in God’s mercy. Rather than focusing on personal achievement or resolution, the prayer acknowledges that all goodness flows from God alone. It invites the believer to begin the year rooted in gratitude, purified in heart, and strengthened by grace, placing the unknown days ahead firmly in God’s care.

The Prayer

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You for Your mercy and love. Not because of my worth, but through Your kindness, You sustain me, guide me, and remain faithful to me. Purify my heart from all that draws me away from You. Calm my anxious thoughts and strengthen my faith. Grant me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and the grace to grow in goodness each day. Be my defense against every temptation, visible and invisible. Quiet my restless spirit and unite me more closely to You, the one true God. As I begin this new year, I place my life in Your hands. Lead me safely through all that lies ahead and bring me one day to everlasting joy with You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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When To Pray

This prayer is especially fitting at the beginning of a new year, when many are reflecting on the past and looking ahead with hope or uncertainty. It may be prayed in the morning to consecrate the day to God, during quiet personal prayer, or in moments of reflection when gratitude and trust are needed. Many Catholics also find it helpful to pray this prayer after receiving the Eucharist or during times of spiritual renewal.