President’s Day this year falls
smack in the middle of the time between Lincoln’s Feb. 12th birthday
and Washington’s Feb. 22nd birthday. While history connects them
both to important prayers, let me share one which is known as Lincoln’s Prayer
for our Nation. (I’m proud that it is included in the Episcopal Church’s Book
of Common Prayer). Though offered so many years ago, it speaks clearly and
urgently to us today:
Almighty God, who hast given us this good
land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove
ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound
learning and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord and confusion; from
pride and arrogance and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties and fashion into one
untied people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.
Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to
whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be
justice and peace at home and that through obedience to thy law, we may show
forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts
with thankfulness and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to
fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
So on this President’s Day, I would suggest we pray
with and listen to Lincoln! May this
prayer be lived and come alive by all we think and say and do to help
this nation heal.
John
