Thanksgiving Proclamation 11-26-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Thank You for giving Your life out of Your love for me and for all. ... “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all His praise?” (Psalm 106:1-2). The people of our nation set aside this day as day of Thanksgiving to God, a tradition deeply rooted in our national history. Of course, not all are thanking You for this day and our freedom and all the blessing we have from the One who is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Some are just taking the day off and some even arrogantly deny the central role of prayer and praise of God in that first fall celebration of Your goodness and mercy among the Indians and Pilgrim of that first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth Rock in 1621. But so many countless more, throughout generations, humbly and gratefully honor You and thank You for Your provision and grace in our lives and our nation. As I honor You today, I also honor those who have gone before me in a spirit of honor and thanksgiving. I’m reminded of the image of General George Washington, who knelt down in an open field with his army on the way to Valley Forge to pray for Your guidance and protection. And immediately after his inauguration as our first President, he issued “Presidential Proclamation Number One” as the very first Presidential Proclamation ever decreed by a President of the United States of America from his position of governmental authority on behalf of the people of our land, as declaration of Thanksgiving to You: 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 and 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 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 enable 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 to us), and to bless them with good governments, 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. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789. — /signed/ G. Washington Lord, let our nation return to our roots, honoring You as “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations” who “pardons our national and other transgressions” and calls us to be “a blessing to all people.” May we yet turn again to You in another great awakening our hearts in a revival of thanksgiving and praise and fulfill our destiny as “one nation under God.” For it is “In God We Trust.” And You are the One True God, the one and only great Lord and Ruler of Nations. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer. I pray for the Lord's abundant blessings -- exceeding abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine -- in every area of your life in this new season (Ephesians 3:20)! Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Sign up online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries DirOfMinistries@aol.com Many of my friends have been expressing a desire to cover my ministry trip to Pakistan in prayer December 8-18, in specific ways. If you would like to join us, please send a note to me at tommyhays@aol.com or Pastor Linda Dulin, our Messiah Ministries Prayer Coordinator: dulin_linda@hotmail.com We have some significant additional expenses for this ministry trip and I would welcome your generous encouragement in prayer and financial support at this time for this opportunity to carry the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of this Muslim Nation. I'll be leading a pastors' conference, a women's conference, and public evangelism and healing meetings at the invitation of my host ministry. God bless you and thank you! Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" Contribute Online or Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org