“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20
The Holiday of Thanksgiving is a day set aside for Americans to focus wholly on giving thanks to God for His goodness, provision, and the blessings that He has so graciously bestowed upon us. The United States has observed the Holiday of Thanksgiving since 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln officially set the day aside, “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.”
The original day of Thanksgiving was actually celebrated well before that time, however. The origin of Thanksgiving is traceable all the way back to the courageous pilgrims who traveled and landed on the shores of North America in order to establish a new nation.
The Pilgrims sought to start a country where they would be ensured religious freedom, where they could serve, honor, and worship God according to the teachings of Scripture in alignment with their conscience. When the Pilgrims were settled in Plymouth, they focused their attention on the Almighty where they prayed and thanked God for His blessings. Thus, the Holiday of Thanksgiving was born.
On this Thanksgiving, may we follow the actions of the Pilgrims, and let us lift our eyes to heaven with grateful hearts and give God thanks for the blessings He has so abundantly showered upon us.
LET US PRAY…
Father, thank You for the invaluable blessings that You have showered upon us. Lord, we pray that our lives will be ones that could be characterized by thankfulness to You. Father, we recognize that You are the giver of all good gifts, and we praise You for being such a wonderful Father. Thank You, Lord, above all else for Your Son and the salvation He makes possible for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
