THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
of George Washington
City of New York, October 3, 1789
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 thanks-giving
and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts
the many single 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 has 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 shown 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 increase 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.
* * * * *
God tells us in the Quran that He blesses the people
and communities who are appreciative of His provisions and blessings.
Only the disbelievers are unappreciative of their Creator and they
will eventually suffer the consequences of their disbelief and arrogance.
Here are some verses on appreciation and thanksgiving:
Your Lord has decreed: “The more you thank
Me, the more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative,
then My retribution is severe. [14:7]
You shall remember Me, that I may remember you, and
be thankful to Me; do not be unappreciative. [2:152]
What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became
appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient. [4:147]
And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore
Him for. If you count GOD’s blessings, you can never encompass
them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative.
[14:34]
We have endowed Luqmaan with wisdom: “You shall
be appreciative of GOD.” Whoever is appreciative is appreciative
for his own good. As for those who turn unappreciative, GOD is in
no need, Praiseworthy. [31:12] |