In 1863, the greatest conflict visited upon the North American continent was in its second year with no obvious end in sight. So, President Abraham Lincoln issued the following proclamation as an offering of hope. These are the words of the 16th Commander-in-Chief:
The year that is drawing towards 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 cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the [weavers’] shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
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 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 at sea and those who are sojourning 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.
And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and 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. – Abraham Lincoln, 1863
NOW, LET US PRAY:
O Lord our God and heavenly Father, Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude as we celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving. We have come to this our feasting table with great joy and eagerness, for we are truly grateful to you, our God, for all that we have been given.
For the present peace and prosperity we enjoy, for this time now to relax and reflect, for our friends and family here and at home, and for all your mercies we give You thanks.
We are thankful for these men and women, and others like them, who are standing watch here and around the world, and thus cannot celebrate this feast with their loved ones. We are thankful for the families they’ve left at home who continually offer their support in love and prayer. We pray that you will touch all of them with your hand of blessing.
We remember also, Lord, our brothers and sisters who will never return to their families’ tables, who stand an eternal watch. We thank you for the benefits their sacrifices have wrought for us, and we commend to your tender care those who celebrate this feast with an empty seat at their table. Grant them the comfort of presence to fill their emptiness with peace.
Almighty God, in your unspeakable mercy towards us You have provided meat and drink for the nourishment of our bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy gifts, to our comfort and sustenance: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we do hunger and thirst for this food for our bodies, so our souls may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, for you are the Bread of Life, O Christ our God, and to You we give glory, honor and thanksgiving always, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
AMEN.
An Orthodox Priest Abroad 