A CLASSIC PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
When it is time to offer the prayer on Thanksgiving Day, no one is quite sure who will pray, or for that matter, what to pray. Perhaps we even enlist the kids to share their prayer they learn in pre-school so we are "off the hook". If this is reflective of your home, may I suggest you use a written prayer, like one in an Orthodox Prayer Book; or perhaps you might offer the following classic prayer of the Church. It comes to us from the Didache, or "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles," which is a second century Church document. It is beautiful and reveals that which the early Christians found most important to give thanks.
"We give you thanks, Holy Father, for your holy name, which you have caused to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality that you have made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory forever.
"You, almighty Master, created all things for your name’s sake,
and gave food and drink to humans to enjoy, so that they might give you thanks; but to us you have graciously given spiritual food and drink, and eternal life through your servant.
"Above all we give thanks to you because you are mighty; to you be the glory forever.
"Remember your church, Lord, to deliver is from all evil and to make it perfect in your love; and from the four winds gather the church that has been sanctified into your kingdom, which you have prepared for it; for yours is the power and the glory forever.
"May grace come, and may this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come; if anyone is not, let him repent. Maranatha! Amen."
--- From the Didache (Teaching of the 12 Apostles)