Prayer Starter - Thursday, November 20, 2025 Thanksgiving Prayer from the Exiles Returning from Babylon


After months of traveling through desert roads, avoiding thieves, managing families, supplies, and uncertainties, the exiles with Ezra finally reached Jerusalem. They were tired, dusty, and carrying the weight of an entire generation’s hope. Yet the first recorded action they took wasn’t rest… it was worship.

Ezra 8:35 tells us that the returned exiles offered sacrifices of thanksgiving as soon as they arrived. Before unpacking their belongings, before rebuilding their homes, before catching their breathe, these exiles paused to acknowledge God’s protection and faithfulness.

Here are three truths we can start our day with:

1. Gratitude is the proper response to God’s guidance.

Their journey was long and dangerous, but God had kept His hand upon them. Thanksgiving isn’t just for when life feels easy; no, it's for every moment we realize, “I made it because He carried me.”

2. Worship reorients our hearts after long seasons.

The exiles had spent years in a foreign land. Returning home wasn’t just a physical journey—it was a spiritual one. Worship helped them settle their hearts before they settled their bodies.

3. Thanksgiving is a declaration of trust.

By offering sacrifices the moment they arrived, the people declared:
“God brought us here, and God will lead us forward.”

Sometimes we wait to thank God until life settles down or everything feels perfect. But Ezra’s example invites us to stop right where we are—even if we’re exhausted—and say, “Lord, thank You for bringing me this far.”

Holy Father,

I stop to pray thank You for carrying me through these journeys. I am not only physically tired, but mentally drained and spiritiaully  emptied.  You know my challenges. My prayer warrior friends have their's - please help us to realize as Ezra & the Exiles did, that You carried us. Help us to settle down now by worshipping You.  You, O, Lord, brought us here and You, O, Lord will lead us forward.  Thank You, Lord, for my life. Thank You for helping me through these challenges.

As we continue our prayers this morning and head off to do our choirs, go to school, or to work, Father, help us to trust You to continue to carry us forward.

Thank You for Jesus.

Thank You for Your Guiding Spirit.

Because of Jesus, I pray, Amen

*** 


Lord, Lead me to one soul today

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