nor did any of the peoples of the world,
that enemies and foes could enter
the gates of Jerusalem.
But it happened because of the sins of her prophets
and the iniquities of her priests,
who shed within her
the blood of the righteous."
Lamentations 4:12-13
"Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest, with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer. If it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois
January 27, 1838
Abraham Lincoln, 28
Instead of decrying any such misuse
Kowtowing to the voices who proclaim it so,
Unite us as a body, focused on the most important goals
Vest in us Your power to be about Your work
Alas, I fear, that we have fallen,
far beyond any bygone day.
Because of fear for how we are changing,
and those who feel most left behind.
Conflict amongst us is at a zenith,
as we move farther and farther apart.
Divisions only become more entrenched,
as we find like minds to affirm and support.
Especially, within the Church,
or those who claim to belong to You.
Father, how have we forgotten,
that you call us to something more?
Grace that we have not extended,
and care not for the least of these.
How can we claim to be for You
and let these sins often bear Your name?
Instead of decrying any such misuse
we let it slide cause "they're on our side."
Just as foolishly we act
like we're your chosen nation.
Kowtowing to the voices who proclaim it so,
instead of acting as Your called, the set apart, the few.
Lead astray by promises of power,
the chance to change things back.
Making our devotion to our nation
a god unto itself.
Now, oh Lord, please forgive us,
turn us back to You.
Once again, please show us mercy;
we know not the severity of what we do.
Place us in Your footsteps, Lord,
and guide our paths through them.
Quiet any divisive voices,
so we hear Your's alone.
Remind us that we are just visitors on this earthly plane;
our first devotion is to heaven, then to any earthly claim.
Show us mercy and instill that in us
so we may be merciful to all.
Teach us to see the world as you see it
without boundary or division, but just need.
Unite us as a body, focused on the most important goals
and setting aside petty squabbles over preference and triviality.
Vest in us Your power to be about Your work
and let us not be moved from it.
Wash us with hyssop, cleanse us again
let us once again feel joy.
X-ray our hearts and please restore them,
bring us back in to Your care.
You alone, our Lord and Savior,
be our goal and our reward.
Zealously may, then, we pursue You,
until the end of time itself.
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