Thanksgiving Proclamations by Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, Roosevelt, & others – American Minute with Bill Federer

During the days of America’s founding, colonies would declare:
  • days of prayer when times were bad;
  • days of fasting when times were real bad; and
  • days of thanksgiving when things turned around.
This developed into many colonies, like New Hampshire and Massachusetts, having annual days of fasting, often on Good Friday.

This is evidence that colonists were not “deists” who believed God set the laws of nature in place and then let everything run on its own.

America’s founders believed in a living relationship with God where:

  • if people sinned, He would call them to repent;
  • if they did not repent, He would sent judgment; and
  • then when they repented and believed, He would send deliverance, health, and blessings.

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Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

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.

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