Welcome to Call to Decision 

 American Minute with Bill Federer

 October 3

 On OCTOBER 3, 1789, from the U.S. Capitol in New York City, President
 George Washington issued the first Proclamation of a National Day of
 Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God, as just one week earlier the
 first session of the U.S. Congress successfully approved the First Ten
 Amendments limiting the power of the Federal Government.

 The First Amendment begins:

 "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion,
 or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

 In his Proclamation, President Washington stated:

 "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence
 of Almighty God....

 we may...unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications
 to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations..."

 Washington continued:

 "and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to
 enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform
 our...duties properly...to render our national government a blessing
 to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and
 constitutional laws...

 and to bless them with...peace and concord...and the increase of
 science...and...to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal
 prosperity as He alone knows to be best."