Thankful for my Country

Do you think Thanksgiving is a secular holiday? Have you ever read George Washington’s original proclamation as he established the day of Thanksgiving? I have emboldened the parts that really stood out to me.

WHEREAS, It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to
implore His protection and favor;
WHEREAS, Both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in
which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted
for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

–George Washington - October 3, 1789

I know that in reading this all week long, it has changed my focus of Thanksgiving. Almost all of us will sit down tomorrow to a big meal. If not, all of us will most certainly eat something. We are blessed in this country. God has given us plentiful food, the opportunity to worship and live freely. Thank Him for that. Thank Him for His Sovereign hand in your life. Ask forgiveness for your personal sins, but also for the sins of our nation.

Deuteronomy 8:10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? How does celebrating Thanksgiving turn your heart to God?