What is the first thing that comes to mind this Presidents Day weekend?
If you were honest, is it the furniture sales? Or perhaps the deals on new cars?
Whatever came to mind, I’d encourage you to take time this Presidents Day to reflect on the lives of two of our greatest presidents – George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
These two men understood the intricacies of humble leadership and saw our country through some of the most difficult and divisive times. In no way would they have claimed to be perfect leaders. Yet, they leaned on prayer and fasting as their rallying cries for unity.
President Washington, for whom the holiday was originally named in 1885, certainly modeled prayers for our nation and its people throughout his prayer journal:
“Give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of the soul in the day of the Lord Jesus…Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God and guide this day and forever for his sake, who lay down in the Grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
President Lincoln declared a national fast in 1863 and prayed in his proclamation:
“And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”
In a time of division, let us heed the examples and prayers of Washington and Lincoln and look to our Creator for divine wisdom. Each human being on this planet is created in the image of God with inestimable value and in great need of God’s mercy. When we see or speak to or pray for one another, let us view each other through that lens. We can disagree, but at the end of the day, we should be unified in prayer for our leaders, neighbors and families.
Thank you for standing with us for biblical truths. I am encouraged to know that this weekend I will be joined by many of you as we pray together for our leaders and our nation. May you have a blessed Presidents Day weekend with your family.
