America’s early pilgrims set aside certain days to offer thanks, prayer and fasting to our heavenly father for the blessings and opportunities afforded them. In 1789, at the request of Congress, President George Washington declared Thursday, Nov. 26, 1789, “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God,” calling on Americans to “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,” and 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.”
In March 1798, President John Adams wrote: “I recommend that on the said day the duties of humiliation and prayer be accompanied by fervent thanksgiving to the Bestower of Every Good Gift, not only for His having hitherto protected and preserved the people of these United States in the independent enjoyment of their religious and civil freedom, but also for having prospered them in a wonderful progress of population, and for conferring on them many and great favors conducive to the happiness and prosperity of a nation.”
My opinion is that we, as a nation, no longer live up to these ideals. I ask, how long will God’s patience and protection last?
Joseph Krill
Murrysville