On the eve of Thanksgiving, president-elect Donald Trump released a new message to Americans asking that the country 'begin to heal our divisions'.

In the new video released on Wednesday, Trump called on the nation to become unified once more amid weeks of protests and petitions to the Electoral College.

'We are very blessed to call this nation our home, and that’s what America is – it is our home,' Trump began in the clip, which was posted on YouTube.

'It’s where we raise our families, care for our loved ones, look out for our neighbors, and live out our dreams,' he continued.

On the eve of Thanksgiving, president-elect Donald Trump released a new message to Americans to ask that the country 'begin to heal our divisions' and unite behind him

'It’s my prayer that on this Thanksgiving that we begin to heal our divisions and move forward as one country strengthened by shared purpose and very, very common resolve.'

Trump then quoted Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, in which he declared the national holiday in the midst of America's Civil War in 1864.

'President Lincoln called upon Americans to speak with one voice and one heart,' Trump said, 'That's just what we have to do.'

Trump then referenced the country's 'long and bruising political campaign'.

'Emotions are raw and tensions just don't heal overnight,' he said, seemingly alluding to protests that erupted all over the nation after he was elected.

'It doesn't go quickly, unfortunately,' he continued. 'But we have before us the chance to make history together.'

'To bring real change to Washington, real safety to our cities and real prosperity to our communities - including our inner-cities, so important to me and so important to our country.'

But, Trump continued, the only way America would succeed was if it enlisted the effort 'of our entire nation'.

Trump's emphasis on restoring the 'promise of America' for 'all' of its citizens may be linked to the recent controversy and protests (pictured) surrounding his hiring of Steve Bannon

Bannon, the former executive chairman of Breitbart News, has been linked to the controversial alt-right movement, supported by many white supremacists

'Now begins a great national campaign to rebuild our country and to restore the full promise of America for all our people,' he said.

'I'm asking you to join me in this effort. It's time to restore the bonds of trust between citizens.'

'Because when America is unified there is nothing beyond our reach, and I mean absolutely nothing.'

'Let us give thanks for all that we have and let us boldly face the new frontiers that lie ahead.'

Trump's pleas for the country to rally behind him come off the heels of a new petition asking the Electoral College to give Hillary Clinton the presidency.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Clinton won 2 million more individual ballots in the national popular vote than Trump on election night.

But Trump is on track to win 306 Electoral College votes, if Michigan is called for him, compared to Clinton's 232 electors.

Clinton backers are circulating a Change.org petition urging electors to mind the national popular vote and mark Clinton's name down on December 15.

It has already received more than 4.5million signatures.

Trump's pleas for the country to rally behind him come off the heels of petition signed by 4.5million people asking the Electoral College to give Hillary Clinton the presidency

'Mr. Trump is unfit to serve. His scapegoating of so many Americans, and his impulsivity, bullying, lying, admitted history of sexual assault, and utter lack of experience make him a danger to the Republic,' the petition reads.

'Secretary Clinton WON THE POPULAR VOTE and should be President.'

Trump's emphasis on restoring the 'promise of America' for 'all' of its citizens may also be linked to the recent controversy surrounding his hiring of Steve Bannon.

The president-elect defended his chief strategist and senior adviser, saying Bannon has been unfairly portrayed as a vehicle for white supremacists to influence the incoming administration.

'I've known Steve Bannon a long time. If I thought he was a racist, or "alt-right" or any of the things, the terms we could use, I wouldn't even think about hiring him,' Trump told a room of New York Times journalists on Tuesday.