Of all the prayers and services of Thanksgiving, I really like the Akathist of Thanksgiving (Glory to God for All Things) the best. The first Ikos says it all:
Glory to Thee, Who called me to life,
Glory to Thee, Who hast shown me the beauty of the universe,
Glory to Thee, Who hast opened before me the sky and the earth as an eternal book of wisdom,
Glory to the eternity of Thee, in the midst of the world of time,
Glory to Thee, for Thy hidden and evident goodness,
Glory to Thee, for every sigh of my sadness,
Glory to Thee, for every step of my life, for every moment of joy,
Glory to Thee, O God, unto the ages of ages.
There is something so profound in the simple words of Orthodox Akathists. I’ve researched a little bit on the web and the non-Orthodox writings found seem “thin,” almost “trite” in comparison.
KONTAKION 1
Incorruptible King of all ages, holding in Thy hand every path of human life through the power of Thy saving Providence. We thank Thee for all the good things Thou doest, those we know and those we don’t know, for earthly life and for the heavenly joy of Thy Kingdom to come. Hold us in Thy mercy now and ever we who sing: Glory to Thee, O God, unto the ages of ages!
