A Cattlemen’s Thanksgiving Prayer

By Hannah Bugas

Lord, as we gather round this table,

and silverware begins to clank,

we’d like to take a minute 

to offer you some thanks.

Lord, thank you for the journey 

through another hard-fought year,

months of work behind us,

the grit and grace that got us here.

For January’s frozen mornings

when the feed truck groaned awake,

hay that kept our stock warm and fed 

despite winter’s frigid ache.

When snow blanketed fields of sage

and February winds cut through, 

thank you for the hope in our hearts

to keep us doing what we do.

During calving time in early March 

when storms roll in unplanned,

thank you for each shiverin’ calf

we steadied with our hand. 

When April called for branding calves

and other work to do,

thank you for the kind of help 

an old hand can call a crew.

For grass in May and greening hills

and creeks that start to rise,

thank you for pairs turned out to graze

under big Wyoming skies.

For June’s warm, golden rays 

drying out the mud at last – 

remindin’ us the hard times end

and they’re only driftin’ past.

Thank you for long days in the saddle,

despite the July heat,

for eager bulls that cover ground

with heavy patient feet.

For August pastures ripening,

nearing four foot high.

Thank you for rains that finally came

as dark clouds split the sky.

For the sweet song of machinery – 

September’s crop cut and dried, 

and for cattle slick and fat again

with good calves at their side.

For crisp October shipping days

with trucks lining the road,

for heavy calves – healthy and fat, 

a fair price paid on every load.

Now as winter circles back around

with its sharp, familiar sting,

thank you, Lord, for another year

and the blessings it will bring.