"The Duty of all Nations..." A Thanksgiving - Presidential Style

Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation
Preamble
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; and whereas both 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."



Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation
Excerpt
To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.


1777 - Continental Congress Proclamation
Preamble
Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success...

Oh to think in the lofty and reverent term with which these great men of our nation commonly conveyed their ambitions...! 

I hate to comment after having read so many examples of such Thanksgiving Proclamations - Solemn each and every bit as reverent as would befit a prayerful church service...  ...I am thrilled to read them one after the other...

I think it might be fitting to finish with an excerpt from the 1777 Continental Congress Proclamation of Thanksgiving (see above):

"And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion."


There was too much to add - I had to stop...  ...our heritage is rich, repleat with seemingly endless and astounding accounts of the faith of our fathers.  I have been blessed to puruse these things and I hope that you will take a few minutes to consider the depth of our history.
Oh God! Thank You for this our heritage!  How blessed and privileged we have been.  Forgive us in our ignorance and thanklessness.  If You will, bestow upon us the courage of our forefathers to combat evil, to enforce and protect good.  Provide to us the means to prosper Your kingdom... ...may we not forget You in our ease, nor shame You in our want.  I pray that this day forward that we will often recall the dedication of those before us to Your will and Your kingdom.  May we take full advantage of the freedoms we enjoy - not merely to our own benefit, instead to our neighbor for the benfit of Your kingdom.