Today is the day we set aside in America to express our thanks. Thanksgiving is an American distinctive with deep religious roots. We pause as a nation, gather with family and friends and give thanks. But to whom are we thankful and for what? Thankfulness must have an object lest it become an expression of mere self-satisfaction.

We’re all pretty good at identifying those things for which we are thankful. And they are generally good and worthy things: Our families and friends, our nation, our freedoms, an election result, a new president, a job, a school, an opportunity, or our many material comforts. But to whom are we thankful? At one time we could answer that question without hesitation or equivocation. Much of America still can.

When George Washington issued the first presidential proclamation of Thanksgiving in 1789 he was explicit. He “acknowledge(d) the providence of Almighty God” and urged his countrymen to unite “unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” We should do the same today and honor Almighty God who, in His perfect wisdom and sovereignty, has blessed this country and its people.

Thanksgiving is not just a day of fellowship, it is a day the nation set aside to humble itself before God in prayer. Let us not forget that first duty and let us spend time today with friends and family in earnest thankful prayer for the nation. We should follow the instruction of the Apostle Paul who urged Timothy “that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

Washington’s first Thanksgiving Proclamation is a good example.

Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789