Tag Archives: President Abraham Lincoln

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Side Selection

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In little more than a month, he would be dead. But on this, the day of his second inauguration, President Abraham Lincoln had reason to be hopeful. The long and bloody Civil War was reaching its conclusion and victory was in sight. Yet Lincoln’s speech was marked not by hubris but by profound humility. “Both read the same Bible,” he said, speaking of the Union and the Confederacy, “and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other…the prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes.”

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Lincoln understood the foolishness of either nation lobbying God to be their side. It was and is the duty of every individual to conform to God’s will, not the other way round. There are many politicians who maneuver and shape their religious positions around polls and popular culture. And then there are those who acknowledge that “the Almighty has His own purposes.”

Today, pray for more leaders who understand this absolute: “For I the Lord do not change.” Malachi 3:6

Recommended Reading: Hebrews 13:1-9

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Soldier Worth Saving

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Not long before he was assassinated on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln sat down in his White House office to attend to some paperwork. Before him was an appeal on behalf of a soldier who had been convicted of desertion – a firing squad offense. During the Civil War, Lincoln had approved 267 death sentences for military crimes, but this day would be different. “Well,” Lincoln said as he wrote out a pardon, “I think the boy can do us more good above ground than under ground.”

And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.

Mark 15:37

On the first Good Friday, Jesus made much the same decision for you. He ignored all the evidence of your failures…and determined that yours was a life worth saving. Little is known about what became of the deserter and other soldiers whose lives were redeemed by President Lincoln, but surely they greeted each new morning with profound gratitude. What if you lived every day as if you had been pardoned; spent every hour as a gift that could never be repaid?

As you pray today, thank God for His sacrifice and ask Him to help you “do more good” for your loved ones, your friends, and your nation.

Recommended Reading: Romans 8:1-11

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Words That Help And Heal

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Our Daily Bread

Matthew 6:5-15

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. —Matthew 6:9

On November 19, 1863, two well-known men gave speeches at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The featured speaker, Edward Everett, was a former congressman, governor, and president of Harvard University. Considered one of the greatest orators of his day, Mr. Everett delivered a formal address lasting 2 hours. He was followed by President Abraham Lincoln, whose speech lasted 2 minutes.

Today, Lincoln’s speech, the Gettysburg Address, is widely known and quoted, while Everett’s words have almost been forgotten. It is not just Lincoln’s eloquent brevity that accounts for this. On that occasion, his words touched the wounded spirit of a nation fractured by civil war, offering hope for the days to come.

Words do not have to be many to be meaningful. What we call the Lord’s Prayer is among the shortest and most memorable of all the teachings of Jesus. It brings help and healing as it reminds us that God is our heavenly Father whose power is at work on earth, just as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:9-10). He provides food, forgiveness, and fortitude for each day (vv.11-13). And all honor and glory belong to Him (v.13). There is nothing in our past, present, and future that is not included in our Lord’s brief words that help and heal. —David McCasland

How easy it is to use many words

And give little thought to the things you say;

So willingly yield your lips to the Lord

And hearts will be blest by them every day. —D. DeHaan

Kind words smooth, and quiet, and comfort the hearer. —Blaise Pascal

Bible in a year: Genesis 18-19; Matthew 6:1-18