“A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand.”

(Matthew 12: 25; Abraham Lincoln, June 1858)
 

Five score and two years apart, Abraham Lincoln and I grew up in the same hometown.  As a small boy, I lived no more than two miles from the spot where he delivered his “House Divided” speech.  That address ended up planting a seed that grew a President.  In unbelievably rocky soil, that seed matured.  Eventually, it produced the fruit and flower of a long overdue freedom and justice.  It seems to me that Lincoln’s words are urgently relevant for our time. 

This week, I’m inclined to scale back my words to create a five minute space.  Together, I’m hoping we can plant something sacred in it.  On the eve of the most consequential election of my lifetime, would you join me in heartfelt prayer for our divided nation?  At the end of this article, you’ll find Ray Charles’ incredibly soulful rendition of “America the Beautiful.”  Please.  Please.  Let us pray.