This is the month that includes our Federal Holiday, Thanksgiving. George Washington issued a proclamation on November 26, 1789. Abraham Lincoln in 1863 urged all Americans to set aside the last Thursday in November as a ‘day of Thanksgiving’. It was declared a ‘National Holiday’ by Congress in 1870, and the final date was decided on in 1941.

But today we start a month of thanksgiving to our Lord and King, the Most High God. For from Him and through Him all things were created. We will start today with Psalm 113 and every day we will stop to consider either a hymn of praise or a psalm, up until Thanksgiving, in 24 days when we will turn our devotional thoughts to Advent.

We invite you to take time each day to read through the devotion, and stop to consider just how much we owe to God. To take a moment and stop and pray, not to ask for something, not to plead our needs to the King, but to truly say: “Thank you, Lord, for these unspeakable gifts”. There will be no daily prayer to read, instead let us use these songs and praise as the prayer itself, meditating on and praising the Most High God. Together let us stop and just praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.

Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.

He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy;

         they are established forever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

He sent redemption to his people;
    he has commanded his covenant forever.
    Holy and awesome is his name!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!