Choosing Gratitude: 30 Day Challenge: Day 26

Day 26: A Call to Gratitude
Scripture Reading: Ezra 3:8-13

On October 3, 1863, at the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued a Proclamation of Thanksgiving, calling the nation to observe a "day of Thanksgiving and Praise."  This proclamation eventually led to the establishing of our national day of Thanksgiving.

The document began by listing multiple blessings the nation had experienced through the course of the year, even in the midst of a severe conflict.  It called the American people to recognize the Source of those blessings and to respond collectively to the Giver in gratitude, repentance, and intercession.  Here's an excerpt:

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...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.

And I recommend to them that...they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience...fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

Set against a background of divisive conflict, our nation's leader in the 1860s was humble enough to know that our nation needed God and needed to be grateful.  This kind of heart is no less needed in our nation today than it was then.

The call to gratitude goes beyond the church and into every avenue of life.  Pray today for a humble, grateful, repentant spirit to be birthed in our own hearts, and among our leaders at every level.

GRATITUDE IN ACTION

1. You may not consider yourself to be much of a writer.  That's okay.  But today I want you to try crafting your won declaration of thanksgiving.  Use some of the insights the Lord has been growing in you these last few weeks.  Incorporate some of the Scriptures that have particularly touched you.  And dedicate your life to what these words of yours are saying.  Make this your own declaration of thanksgiving in your heart and home.
2. It's not enough to keep this to yourself.  Share what you've written with your family or a close friend.  Post it on Facebook, send an email to your friends.  Be an igniter of gratitude by encouraging those you love and care about to cultivate a thankful heart.