Be Blessed and Be Thankful

Thanksgiving, 1864, was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln in these words:

"It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year...to favor as well our citizens in their homes as our soldiers in their camps, and our sailors on the rivers and seas, with unusual health.
"He has largely augmented our free population by emancipation and by immigration, while He has opened to us new sources of wealth, and has crowned the labor of our working men in every department of industry with abundant rewards.
"Moreover, He has been pleased to animate and inspire our minds and hearts with fortitude, courage and resolution sufficient for the great trial ... into which we have been brought by cause of freedom and humanity ...
"Now, therefore, I .... do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the universe.
"And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on that occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations."

Bible Verse

Psalm 118 V 27 - 29: The Lord is God, and He has made His light to shine upon us. With boughs in hand join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give You thanks: You are my God, and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.

Prayer

O Lord, my God You are my Father and I will praise You forever. Father, help me to remember that Your grace is sufficient for this day. Help me to always remember that You have a plan for my life if only I will humbly come to You seeking guidance and direction. Father, I give You thanks for the many blessings You have allowed me. I thank You for family and for friends. I thank You for the necessities of life, and for strength to do Your will. Lord, help me to live my life as a constant thanksgiving to You. In the name of Jesus I ask that Your will be done in my life today.

Amen.