I want to begin with one of my favorite passages of Scripture:
Philippians 4:4-7 Holman
Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
This verse to me summarizes the Thanksgiving spirit, and even mentions the attitude of Thanksgiving within its instruction. As believers we should come to God rejoicing because His presence is near us, even when we don’t “feel” Him. We can present our requests to Him with gratitude. Our thankfulness to Him should swallow up our worry because we have so much to be thankful for in this life. Yes, there are hardships and mountains to climb, but thank God we are not alone, and we are promised that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus.
I also want to leave a quote by our first president, George Washington, so that we consider how far we have drifted from the first Thanksgiving in our country.
(Opening quote from the Thanksgiving Proclamation signed by George Washington, President of the United States of America, October 3, 1789)
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.
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