"...for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty... for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness... for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications... to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best."
May we continue to pray for tranquility, union, plenty, peace, rationality, safety, happiness, civil liberty, religious liberty, useful knowledge, knowledge sharing, God's favors however so defined, humility, truth, virtue, science, a cooperative notion of them AND us, and - how profound - temporal prosperity in our 2012 prayers of Thanksgiving.
Prayers of Thanksgiving maintain the power of any prayer: purpose. Pray to praise your every blessing and in so doing become ever mindful. Pray to enliven memories. Pray to prepare for action. Pray to propose the world you wish, and will work, to be.
a desire and appreciation for knowledge - wow, do they sell that in stores? I need me some! It is great for you to bring up these thoughts for our reflection!
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