Women giving thanks here...and there

A prayer of thanksgiving in middle class America: Lord, thank you for my family and this lovely home. Thank you for good friends, a cool church, and the fun ministries I get to do there. And thanks for this delicious looking meal.

A prayer of thanksgiving in Iraq: Lord, they have put my husband in prison for preaching your word. Thank you that you are there with him. Thank you that he can share Your word with the other prisoners there. The neighbors laugh at me and my children. The police threaten me. No one will give me work. Thank You for being our provider and thank you for the privelege of suffering for Christ's sake. It is an honor to bear the cross like the Lord Jesus did.

A prayer of thanksgiving in Afghanistan: Father God, thank you for opening my eyes to the truth this past year, for Jesus coming in a vision to show me He is real. My father beat me and my family disowned me for following Christ. I have no friends. But I know that You are with me. Thank you for putting love and forgiveness in my heart towards those who persecute me.

A whispered prayer of thanksgiving in China: God, thank you for this church, these brothers and sisters who huddle in this basement to worship and learn from your word. Thank You for another night together. Thank you for blinding the eyes of the authorities to our existence. Thank You that one day we will be able to worship you loudly with all believers in heaven.

A tearful prayer in Sudan: Lord, I thank you that my husband and children all had faith in you. They were all slaughtered before my eyes by evil men-- terrorized and then shot while I screamed. But thank you, Lord, that my family is safe at your side now, and that I will be able to join them one day. Those men raped me, Lord, and hurt me. My eyes are blackened and swollen. I can hardly walk and I think my arm is broken. But I thank you that my life is hidden in Christ. I thank You that men cannot touch my soul. You will keep me until the day of Christ. You fill me with deep peace, Lord, in the midst of my pain and sorrow. You know what it is to suffer and you comfort me. Thank you.

The prayer of a homeless woman: God, thank you that there was room in the shelter for me last night. Thank you for this good, warm food these church people made for us and for the kindness. Thank you for the coat I found in that pile of clothes they're giving away-- just the right size and my favorite color too! Thank you for the man who gave me a Bible last week. I read in it that you were homeless too-- had nowhere to lay your head. Thank you that you can understand.

A prayer uttered through cracked lips from a sick bed: Lord, thank you for allowing me to spend one more Thanksgiving with my family. The doctors gave me six months, but you are more powerful than cancer. Thank You for finally giving me peace about the fact that my life is in your hands, and for helping me to trust You to take care of my family after I am gone. Thank you for the hospice nurse and for allowing me to share the gospel with her. Thank you for the morphine. Please help those around the world who suffer without the benefit of pain-killers. Thank You for never leaving me and for always hearing my prayers.