Harvest Festival (or Harvest Thanksgiving) is the service in which a church thanks God for the fruits of the earth, usually on a Sunday in September or October, often with gifts of food for a local food bank. Below are ready-to-use prayers of intercession for harvest: thanksgiving for the harvest, prayers for farmers and all who produce our food, for the hungry, for the care of creation and for our community, plus short versions and prayers children can read.
Prayers of intercession for Harvest Festival
Leader: Let us give thanks to God, the giver of every good gift, and bring before him the needs of his world.
- For the harvest of fields, orchards and seas, and for every gift of food we enjoy: that we may never take God’s goodness for granted. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For farmers, growers, fishermen and all who work the land: that their labour may be rewarded and their livelihoods made secure. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For all who process, transport and sell our food, and for those who work long hours for little pay: that they may be treated with justice. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For the hungry in our own town and across the world, and for food banks, charities and aid workers: that no one may lack daily bread. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For places struck by drought, flood or failed harvests: that they may receive help and hope. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For ourselves: that, having received so much, we may share generously and live gratefully. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
Leader: Generous God, you open your hand and fill every living thing with plenty. Accept our thanks and our prayers, and make us faithful stewards of your gifts. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Intercessions for care of creation
- For the earth, our common home: that we may protect its soil, water and air for generations to come. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For scientists, farmers and leaders seeking to care for the land and to face a changing climate: that they may work with wisdom and courage. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For all creatures, great and small: that we may respect the work of God’s hands. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
Intercessions for our community at harvest
- For our local farms, shops and markets, and all who serve our community. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For families struggling with the cost of food and heating this winter: that our gifts today may bring them relief. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
- For the elderly and lonely, especially those who will receive our harvest gifts. Lord of the harvest, hear our prayer.
Short harvest intercessions
- For the gift of the harvest. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For farmers and all food workers. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For the hungry. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
- For the care of creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Harvest prayers for children
- Thank you, God, for apples and bread, for milk and rain, and for all the food we eat. Lord, hear us.
- Please help the farmers who grow our food. Lord, hear us.
- Please help children who are hungry today. Lord, hear us.
- Help us to share with people who have less than we do. Lord, hear us.
Bible readings and ideas for Harvest Sunday
- Psalm 65: the earth crowned with God’s goodness. See Psalm 65.
- Deuteronomy 26:1–11: bringing the first fruits to the Lord.
- Luke 12:16–21: the rich fool who built bigger barns.
- Matthew 6:25–33: consider the lilies of the field.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6–11: God loves a cheerful giver.
Frequently asked questions
When is Harvest Festival?
Most churches in Britain and Ireland celebrate it on a Sunday near the harvest moon, in late September or early October. In the United States and Canada, Thanksgiving fills the same role; see prayers of the faithful for Thanksgiving.
Do Catholics celebrate harvest?
Yes. Many Catholic parishes hold a harvest Mass, and the Church traditionally prayed for the crops on the Rogation Days.