(In honor of Thanksgiving)
Modim, the prayer for gratitude, is recited 3 times every day as a part of the Amidah. It is accompanied by a private version, recited when the shaliach tzibbur is repeating the Amidah out loud.
It was common back in the day to recite private meditations on many of the blessings of the Amidah, but the one for Modim is the only one still commonly used. This goes to underscore the importance of hakarat hatov, literally “”recognition of the good”—in other words, gratitude.
A local scholar, Joseph Rosenstein, in his wonderful Siddur Eit Ratzon, includes the following private meditation on gratitude. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, this is a prayer we should keep in mind.
Ribbono shel olam…G-d of all that is…
Modim anachnu lach…I thank you…
I acknowledge Your presence in my life…
I thank You for all the blessings You provide…
and I bow to You in gratitude…
My life has many blessings…
I now acknowledge…
  that so much comes from you…
I am grateful…
…that I am alive today…
…that my health is good…more or less…
…for the other people that are in my life…
I thank You for all the blessings You provide…
…the strength and courage…
to meet the challenges that I face each day…
…the abilities and skills…
to make my way in the world…
…the insight and direction…
to stay on a productive path…
…the love and understanding…
that enable me to see my true worth…
I bring You today my gratitude…
Placing it before You…
as our ancestors placed their gifts on Your altar
Thank you G-d…Modim anachnu lach…
…for all that You have given me…
…for all that You give me each and every day…
Breathing in…I receive Your blessings…
Breathing out….I offer You my gratitude…
I place my gratitude on Your altar…
I acknowledge Your presence in my life…
I thank you for all the blessings You provide…
And I bow to You in gratitude…
Breathing in…I receive Your blessings…
Breathing out…I offer You my gratitude…
Our lives are in Your hands…
Our souls are in Your care…
Your miracles are always with us…
Your loving kindness is endless…
Your compassion is boundless…
Meiolam kivvinu lach…
You are the source of our hope…
We always put our hope in You….
Breathing in…I receive Your blessings…
Breathing out…I offer You my gratitude…
Thank you G-d.