Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106:1
In his book, Samuel Adams: A Life, Ira Stoll notes, "After receiving news of victory at Saratoga, Congress adopted a report drafted by Samuel Adams, declaring Thursday, December 18, as 'a day of thanksgiving' to God." The resolution included this:
...with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favour, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessing on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labour of the husbandman, that our land may yet yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the mans of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth 'in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.'"
From the Journals of the Continental Congress, Saturday, November 1, 1777.
What will you give God thanks for today?