Can Gratitude Heal the Divisions in Our Nation?

As Americans, we are heirs to this legacy of gratitude and freedom. We live in a nation where liberty is enshrined in law, where opportunity abounds, and where the rule of law protects us as legal citizens. These are not universal privileges; they are rare and precious gifts. Around the world, millions long for the freedoms we often take for granted: to speak freely, to worship openly, and to pursue dreams unhindered by tyranny or oppression.

The Bible reminds us, "To whom much is given, much will be required" (Luke 12:48). As beneficiaries of these blessings, we are called not only to be grateful but also to steward them wisely. Gratitude for our freedom should inspire us to participate actively in our democracy, to care for our neighbors, and to protect the principles that make this nation a beacon of hope.

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This year, our gratitude is amplified by the recent election results, which many Americans view as a turning point toward leadership that values patriotism, sovereignty, and the well-being of everyday citizens. For years, a growing number of Americans have longed for leaders who reflect their love of country, honor their faith, and prioritize the needs of their fellow citizens over divisive ideologies.

Proverbs 29:2 teaches, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice." Across the nation, there is a renewed sense of hope as Americans see in their president a commitment to the founding ideals of this country: faith, family, and freedom. This is not about partisanship but about a shared desire for leaders who uphold and cherish the unique blessings of our nation.

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Gratitude is more than a feeling; it’s a way of life. True thanksgiving requires us to act on our appreciation for what we’ve been given. This Thanksgiving, let us commit to living out our gratitude through the following actions:

1. Pray for Our Nation and Leaders


The Bible calls us to intercede for our leaders and our country: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray...then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). Prayer is an essential act of gratitude and faith, especially as we navigate challenges as a nation.

Notice this call to prayer includes a call to repent. We need to always remember that what we desire needs to be preceded by our own inner reflection and an ability to take responsibility for what we’ve done incorrectly and where we’ve gone wrong. We have to say I’m sorry. We must acknowledge a need for forgiveness, not just scream our desires for what we want. If you run a car into a tree, you can’t just turn and say dad, give me another one without any remorse or awareness of what you did wrong. This careless inability to be self-aware will never lead you to a blessing, to a healed life, or to a nation of abundance. Only through repentance and deep awareness of our own need for forgiveness do we learn to be truly thankful for all we have. Thanksgiving is rooted in this journey from inner reflection to gratitude.

2. Serve Others


Gratitude is best expressed through service. Whether volunteering, supporting local charities, or helping neighbors in need, we fulfill Christ’s teaching: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Service demonstrates our thankfulness for what we have by sharing it with others. As we serve each other, our communities unite.

3. Participate in Democracy


Freedom is not self-sustaining; it requires active stewardship.  It requires gratitude for what freedom is and for what living here in this nation means. Our values are worth fighting for and worthy of being thankful for. As citizens, we have a responsibility to stay informed, vote, and hold leaders accountable. Protecting the blessings of liberty ensures that future generations will inherit the same opportunities we enjoy today.

4. Teach the Next Generation


Our children must understand the sacrifices that built this nation. We must teach them our history rooted in understanding our failures, our lessons, and our shared victories. Share the story of Thanksgiving with them, highlighting the faith, perseverance, and gratitude of the Pilgrims. Teach them that America is a land where dreams are possible, but freedom must be cherished and defended. We are most thankful when we have fought to achieve the things we desire.

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Thankfulness transforms our perspective. It reminds us that our freedoms are not entitlements but gifts, bought with sacrifice and preserved by faith. Psalm 100:4 exhorts us: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." As Americans, we have countless reasons to do so.  We are free to worship as we choose, to speak without fear, to build lives of purpose, and to pursue happiness. These freedoms are protected by laws that respect our dignity and rights. But they are also sustained by our willingness to live with gratitude, to serve with humility, and to remain united as one nation under God.

This Thanksgiving, let us also give thanks for leaders who reflect our love for this country. Their dedication to preserving our freedoms and fostering unity allows us to move forward with hope. While no leader is perfect, the opportunity to elect those who value our shared ideals is itself a blessing that many around the world can only dream of.

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As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, let us remember that gratitude is not only a response to blessings but a catalyst for action. It inspires us to pray, to serve, to protect, and to teach. It reminds us of our shared responsibility to uphold the ideals of liberty, justice, and faith.

James 1:17 tells us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." This year, let us thank God not only for our personal blessings but for the privilege of living in a nation founded on principles of freedom and faith. Let us commit to being good stewards of these gifts, ensuring that America remains a land of opportunity, hope, and gratitude for generations to come.

May this Thanksgiving be a time of reflection, renewal, and resolve—a moment to celebrate not just what we have but who we are as a free and united people. For truly, we are blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

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