Giving Thanks for Blessings -- in practice as well as theory

One of the most beautiful moments in life is when we receive a blessing. When something joyful and life-giving, something undeserved but so desired is granted us—this is the moment when our Faith calls us to assume a complete maturity and give thanks to God.

Giving thanks is the reflex of true Christians. We are a Eucharistic people; our heart-beat, if listened to carefully, is a continuous Eucharist, an offering of gratitude for the gift of this moment and for eternity in communion with God the Holy Trinity. This is our bliss. Yet, is it only a theoretical reflex, an unreachable ideal? Not if we learn otherwise.

To make thanksgiving concrete in our daily life, the Church has developed a wide range of practices. One of them is to offer the Te Deum, an ancient hymn of praise to God. This hymn, together with the General Thanksgiving, provides a splendid opportunity for one to praise God for the universal gift of life, love, and saving knowledge—and the specific occasion of our gratitude for blessings in this life. 

These prayers may be said any time; they may also be added to one’s daily morning and evening prayers. The next time you receive a blessing, try offering thanks...simply or richly. It will do your heart and spirit (and this world) much good.

Traditional English:

We Praise Thee, O God Te Deum laudamus

We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud,

the Heavens and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

    Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.

The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.

The noble army of martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world

                           doth acknowledge thee,

    the Father, of an infinite majesty,

    thine adorable, true, and only Son,

    also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,

thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,

thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.

We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.

    We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,

    whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

    Make them to be numbered with thy saints,

    in glory everlasting.

The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,

we thine unworthy servants

do give thee most humble and hearty thanks

for all thy goodness and loving‑kindness

to us and to all men.

We bless thee for our creation, preservation,

and all the blessings of this life [especially _________];

but above all for thine inestimable love

in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,

for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we beseech thee,

give us that due sense of all thy mercies,

that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful;

and that we show forth thy praise,

not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up our selves to thy service,

and by walking before thee

in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost,

be all honor and glory, world without end.  Amen.

Contemporary English:

We Praise You, O God  Te Deum laudamus

We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
all creation worships you,
the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

  heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:

  Father, of majesty unbounded,
  your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,

  and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free

you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death

and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come to be our judge.

  Come then, Lord, and help your people,

  bought with the price of your own blood,

  and bring us with your saints
  to glory everlasting.

The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks

for all your goodness and loving‑kindness

to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation, preservation,

and all the blessings of this life [especially _________];

but above all for your immeasurable love

in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;

for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,

that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,

not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up our selves to your service,

and by walking before you

in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honor and glory throughout all ages.  Amen.