Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation courtesy Atlanta's High Tech Ministries President @htpb

Here's a highlight and exhortation from the President of Atlanta's High Tech Ministries with Lincoln's full proclamation linked below. As valid today as back in 1863.

"Several years ago the Stevens family started a Thanksgiving tradition. One that I hope you will share with us tomorrow. Each year as our Thanksgiving dinner is being served, we read an excerpt from President Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation, which set aside the last Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving and praise. This is a stark reminder not only of the source of blessings, individually and collectively, but also of the national conscience regarding God's sovereign hand in the matters of state.

 

This year, will you start your Thanksgiving meal by sharing in our tradition?

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

'The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.  

 

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.

I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.'

President Abraham Lincoln

October 3, 1863

*To read the full text of Lincoln's Proclamation, click here.  

1 Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.  Let the whole world know what he has done."

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Matt Stevens

President

High Tech Ministries