An Attitude of Gratitude in Thanksgiving Blessing

Does your family have a specific prayer they pray over the Thanksgiving or holiday meals? Some say the Lord's prayer, others a traditonal blessing, while a few have a favorite family or religious recitation.  Many go even further by going around the table and  having everyone present take turns saying something they are grateful for in the current year (aka grateful round).

When I was a child, my grandmother prayed over most of our family gatherings.  I noticed when she would ask other relatives to pray, they often did a very similar prayer.  I guess that came form hearing her so often.  Even decades later, when the 4th generation offers up a prayer, although their words may be different, they end theirs much in the same way my grandmother did.  I am not so sure the exact praying words are as important as the attitude of gratitude sent towards God.  

With all that has happened in the past two years, we should reflect on the many blessings we still have over the holidays.  If you do not have a memorized  prayer or prefer to do a reading to express your gratitude, you might consider reading or reciting Psalm 100 (inset is ESV).  It is only 5 verses long, yet the words truly indicate a grateful heart.  This can done instead of a prayer, before the blessing, or following the "grateful round."