When Lincoln Prayed

Chuckle: "Our neighbor, the president of the local bank, was ironing a clean shirt to wear to work one morning. "I'll bet," he said to his wife, "that I'm the only businessman in this town ironing his own shirt this morning." "You're probably right," she agreed. "That's because you didn't do it last night."

 

Quote: Prayer gives a man the opportunity of getting to know a gentleman he hardly ever meets. I do not mean his maker, but himself.” –Dean W. R. Inge 

 

 

“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, . . .(Ecclesiastes 2:26 NIV).

 

I ran across this article by Robert I. Gannon, former president of Fordham University:

 

    “This is a story which almost tells itself. It happened during the early hours of the Battle of Gettysburg. In the White House. Abraham Lincoln was pacing up and down, lonely and troubled, as the battle reports poured in and the fate of the United States hung in the balance.

   

    At that time, when everybody seemed panic stricken, Lincoln went to his room and locked the door. One can picture him there, down on his knees, his great head in his hands, praying like a child. Later, Lincoln described that moment to a friend in this fashion:

  

    ‘I told God that I had done all I could and that now the result was in His hands; that if this country was to be saved, it was because He so willed it! The burden rolled off my shoulders. My intense anxiety was relieved and in its place came a great trustfulness!’

   

    It isn’t necessary to say very much in comment on this story. It stands by itself, a reminder that now, as in all times of crisis, there is an enduring source of strength and consolation – if only we have the will and the wisdom to turn toward it.”

 

This story reminds me of the words of an old hymn, “Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there.”  In difficult times like those facing our country today, I can’t think of anything more comforting then to know our political leaders, at all levels of government, are humbling themselves before God in prayer and trusting in the power of His Spirit rather than their own understanding and wisdom.  Let’s pray that our leaders will follow the example of Lincoln when wrestling with the monumental challenges facing our country today.

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse