Historic Thanksgiving Prayers
...and how they apply today.
The roots of Thanksgiving Day go back more than 400 years, and interesting history surrounds each prayer and proclamation. Knowing more about them helps guide us in the present day as we pray for our families, communities, and Nation.
I focused on four Thanksgiving Day proclamations below that historians view as the beginnings of this special day to pause in gratitude for God’s blessings.
1621 represents the earliest link to what would evolve into Thanksgiving Day. Of the 102 who arrived on the Mayflower, half died during the brutal winter. Conditions were particularly hard on the women; only 28% survived.
But, the risky venture of embarking on a new life for religious freedom finally yielded hope. Their first harvest produced five times more than expected, no doubt thanks to the Native Americans and God’s grace. In addition, joint hunting efforts, described as the “exercising of arms,” between the Pilgrims and Indians resulted in abundant meat.
Edward Winslow shared how after a year of loss, trials, and scarceness, they celebrated and thanked God for His provision.
Our harvest being gotten in . . . for three days, we entertained. Many of the Indians [joined] us [including] . . . King Massasoit [and his] 90 men. It [has] not always [been] plentiful . . . yet by the goodness of God, we are far from want.
Two years later, drought threatened the crops of both the Plymouth settlers and Native Americans. Fearing for their future, Governor William Bradford said, “we need to get on our knees [and] ask God” for help. They prayed all day.
That evening, after months of drought, it started raining with a perfect rain seemingly designed to save the crops. Hobamock, another Wampanoag leader, exclaimed “God is a good God,” for “He heard you, and sent you rain . . . without storms . . . which usually . . . breaks down [the] corn but [the corn still] stands whole and good.”
When the long-awaited harvest came in 1623, Governor Bradford gave what would historically become America’s first Thanksgiving Day proclamation:
In as much as the great Father has given us . . . an abundant harvest . . . [and] has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience . . . listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to Almighty God for all His blessings.”
In 1789, President Washington wanted to unify the Nation. Elected that year as America’s first President, he knew the Nation held great promise but had to survive the first fledging years due to America walking “untrodden ground.” Thus, he designated November 26, 1789 as a national day of public thanksgiving and prayer:
“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God . . . to be grateful for His benefits, and . . . to implore His protection and favor. We may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks . . . [for His] manifold mercies and . . . for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed.
Of note, he started the day by attending church then donated beer to imprisoned debtors! The men responded via the New York Journal with “grateful thanks.”
Just 74 years later, America faced its severest trial — the Civil War. Reeling from the bloodshed of 50,000 men at the Battle of Gettysburg, President Lincoln knew the Nation needed healing and gave his infamous Gettysburg address on November 19, 1863. A week later on November 26 — the same date President Washington had designated — he set aside a day for national prayer and Thanksgiving:
[I] invite my fellow citizens . . . [to join me in] Thanksgiving and Praise to our . . . Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And, I recommend . . . [they] fervently implore . . . the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it . . . with Divine purposes . . . to peace, harmony, tranquility and union.
As I read through these Thanksgiving Day prayers, I was reminded of two things.
First, knowing our history helps encourage us in the midst of challenging times to persevere as our forefathers did.
Second, the Thanksgiving prayers above also apply for us today.
Do you sometimes grow frustrated that our Nation seems further from God and prayer than centuries ago? While President Washington spoke of “the duty” for “all nations” to pray, it remains the duty of individuals as well. Rather than worry what is lacking, ponder what each person can do — what you and I can do.
In your homes on Thanksgiving Day, acknowledge the Lord. Teach your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and others to acknowledge Him. Of course, keep doing this after Thanksgiving and beyond.
The Thanksgiving prayers above are indeed beautiful. Fortunately, our prayers do not require perfect prose but need only be spoken from the heart. Our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us just as we are.
May we thank our Lord for His abundant blessings both for our country and in our own lives. “Implore His protection and favor” for our families, communities, and Nation.
Thank our Heavenly Father for bestowing upon Americans freedoms “endowed by [our] Creator.” Pray these “unalienable rights,” such as the ability to freely worship, are safeguarded for the next generation.
Finally, may we pray for America’s continued blessings and for God’s divine intervention to heal our Nation and people — restoring them to “peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”
Most importantly, do not lose hope. Things looked quite dire for the Pilgrims during the 1623 drought. Instead of allowing circumstances to form their faith, the Pilgrims knew to “get on [their] knees [and] ask God” for help. Likewise, we must do the same, for “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
I like to think of the Eucharist celebrated in St. Augustine, FL, as the original Thanksgiving of all the European explorers and settlers. :)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family