The National Day of Thanks first proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789 is suffering from an identity crisis. The newly founded Americans of that era would hardly recognize the frenzied festivities of today. Polls tell us that less than half of Americans will even offer a prayer of thanks today; and even those who do will be non-committal as to whom they are thanking. Our true American history and heritage are quickly becoming unknown to us as we increasingly follow the deceptions of this world. Scripture (2 Timothy 4:2-4) warns us that we will fall prey to the deceptions of this world if we do not preach the word and follow Its truths. We will come to a time, if we have not already arrived, when we will seek out preachers who will tell us what we “want to hear” to justify our sinful actions. Much of our Nation is already there – I urge you not to be deceived by this world, but to maintain your faith in ABSOLUTE truth provided by our Creator. Many will say I am exaggerating the importance of our national Christian heritage. Most of you have been educated to believe that our country firmly stands for “separation of church and state.” That “religion” is “off limits” to our civic governance and that the constitution and the founding fathers who authored it intended it that way. If you have been led to believe that is true, I CHALLENGE you to actually read the constitution and see for yourself. I believe that, regardless of what we have been taught in the past century, our country was indeed founded as “one nation UNDER GOD.” As a small example of my belief, I offer you President George Washington’s first National Proclamation of a day of Thanksgiving. Note to Whom the President gives thanks:
[New York, 3 October 1789]
By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.
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 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 which we experienced 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 enabled 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 hath 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 shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease 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.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
May we all pray as our founding fathers did.
-Pastor Dave Jones