Thanksgiving Proclamation - George Washington

George Washington (1732–1799), the first President of the United States, was a deeply religious man. The famous portrait of Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge captures his religious zeal and the role faith played in his personal and political life. He famously proclaimed in his 1796 Farewell Address,

“Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.”

While the Pilgrims had started the tradition of Thanksgiving many years earlier, George Washington was responsible for its status as a significant day of remembrance. His October 3, 1789, proclamation was sent to the governors of each of the states, and assigned the day upon which the American people devote themselves in service to “that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” It exhorts the people in the young country to express their gratitude to God for His protection throughout the Revolutionary War and the peace they had experienced since and for allowing the Constitution to be composed in a peaceful and rational manner.

George Washington was often on his knees praying, as great men often are.

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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.

Excerpted with permission from The Book of Man by William J. Bennett, copyright William J. Bennett.

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Your Turn

“George Washington was often on his knees praying, as great men often are.” This week of Thanksgiving is a perfect time to be on our knees in prayer, brothers, thanking God for His manifold blessings!