The Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln We Could Have Had

Disneyland's iconic Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln almost captures the full brilliance of our nation's beloved president. While the Disney Imagineers worked with a large team to bring this together, the recorded speech chosen represents some of Mr. Lincoln's wisdom. This is only a small portion of his incredible insight into human nature. 

By necessity Lincoln's became somewhat marginalized in Walt Disney World at the Magic Kingdom in Florida due to the sheer number of Commanders in Chief on stage in Liberty Square's Hall of Presidents, but his words below are as important today as they were when first written in March of 1863 for this proclamation. Perhaps even more so:

One of many attraction posters for this show.

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By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.

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.

And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

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If you want to see all the versions of the attraction posters for his epic presentation, go here.

A World in Need of God on Our National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. Our nation is part of a world gone crazy, a world ravaged by COVID-19, racial strife, political turmoil, the desecration of all things good. There's hatred for those different than us and hatred for Christians. We live in a world where humanism is the order of the day, where groups that are on opposite ends of the political and religious spectrum work together to abolish Christianity from the world scene. 

Ironic in that Jesus says boldly- He alone is the only way to God the Father. He is the Truth, and He is the Life. Jesus said no one would get to an eternal life in heaven without believing in Him and that He alone died on the cross for the sins of man and was resurrected to life.

Jesus was that direct and simple- not because He hated people. But because He loved them and wanted to make the way to forgiveness and heaven clear. He's more than a prophet, more than a good man. He alone is God incarnate- God in the flesh. All who oppose Him will be lost for eternity. That includes you. That includes me. Wake up, America! We've lost our way. 

Pray today for a fresh start with God- pray for our nation and pray for yourself, won't you? No one should be left out from this opportunity to join a nation in prayer.

Brothers and Sisters Throughout the World

In times of stress, it's only human and very easy to think we are the only ones experiencing difficulty. With COVID-19, perhaps for the first time in awhile, we are easily reminded the entire world is in pain. 

Today is the National Day of Prayer. What a good thing! You might ask, "Where is God when we need Him?" That's a question we ask ourselves over and over. That answer can be found in my article here. If you don't understand why God allows difficulty, take a look or let's talk about it.

Once Jesus returned to Heaven after being crucified for our sins and resurrected to life on the third day, He left the small but quickly growing group of believers in a world where many hated them, drove them out, put them in prison, or killed them. The disciple Peter (who's famous for many things but also for denying Jesus three times) wrote this letter to the followers of Jesus:

“And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand  by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.  Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.”  (I Peter 5:6-9)

Did you catch that? We have a god who cares for us! And, as perhaps a precursor to today's world, there's a reminder to stray strong and remember people all over the world are suffering. If our times are not a good enough reason to be in prayer to the One Living God Jesus Christ, well, I don't know what is!

A Time for Loving Each Other

Jesus meant it when He said, ""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." The book of John in the New Testament tells us this in chapter 13. But it seems so difficult at times. Times such as now when kind discussion among those on the opposite side of an issue is almost impossible.

So how do we accomplish this kind of love? Only through prayer, asking God to change our hearts.

It is so appropriate that the theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is "Love One Another". Let's just pray for our enemies today and in a way that honors God. Jesus also said "Love your enemies". Hmm- Could it be this is what makes real followers of Jesus different?

Ironic: Disney Confirms Cancellation of Night of Joy on National Day of Prayer

Today several Disney blog sites are reporting that an official but unnamed spokesman confirmed the 2017 Night of Joy event was truly the last one. What first began at Walt Disney World in 1983 has come to an end. The timing? Foolish, perhaps pointed, and rather ironic.

(Artwork copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Just One Significant Day

Today is the National Day of Prayer. It was begun by President Truman back in 1952, and it is needed now more than ever.

Especially with Billy Graham gone, it is a perfect day to set aside our differences and join in unity, praying for our country, our community, our leaders, our world. Abraham Lincoln said it best, " It is the duty of nations as well as men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God."

Join me, will you? Take a moment and pray, focusing on these seven areas: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family.

Dr. Ronnie Floyd, President, National Day of Prayer Task Force and Senior Pastor, Cross Church, offers this prayer for our nation:

Our Dear Heavenly Father, while we come to You in complete humility, we also come to You with boldness in the authoritative name of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In Jesus’ name, fill us now with Your Holy Spirit and lead us as we pray in Jesus’ name for America.

Oh God, we are burdened for our nation today. We turn from the sins that we have committed against your Word and your Name. We turn away from our contentious words and ways toward one another that has led us to division and polarization. We turn away from our disrespect and lack of dignity toward each other, and we turn away from our continual devaluation of all human life from the womb until death in this world. We also turn away from and refuse to participate in skepticism, criticism, and cynicism in our nation. We turn away from anything that divides us, and we run toward the gospel of Jesus Christ that is the only thing that has the power to unite us together.

Lord, in this critical hour in our nation, we pray for unity in America. Only You can bring unity, harmony, and oneness in America. As your Word calls us in Ephesians 4:3, “Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”, we ask You to empower us to make every effort to live in unity, to call for unity, and to forward unity in America continually.

We pray for the churches in America to unify in Jesus Christ and to pray as one unified spiritual family for America. May Your Church pray for America passionately, perpetually, privately, and publicly.

We pray for God’s power to unify families, workplaces, communities, and cities in America. By Your Spirit, lead us to forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, and unity.

We pray for people of all ethnicities and races in America to come together as one, living in peace and unity together. Oh Lord, because each of us is created in Your image, please give us the courage to stand against all racial and ethnic division, denouncing it as evil and sinful, while simultaneously coming together in unity with all persons knowing this is God’s will for us.

We pray in unity for the security of our nation. We ask You to preserve the United States of America from the forces of evil that are threatening our lives and our future. God, please guard all persons in public and private settings from anyone or anything that desires to harm us or take our lives. Our future is in Your hands.

We agree clearly, unite visibly, and pray extraordinarily for the next Great Spiritual Awakening in America. Oh Lord, wake up Your church spiritually and convict Your people to agree clearly, unite visibly, and pray extraordinarily until the next Great Spiritual Awakening occurs in our generation.

Oh God, we stand together upon Your words in Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.” Through Jesus’ name and by the Holy Spirit’s power, we pray for all Americans to unify and to live together in unity.

In the mighty and majestic name of Jesus Christ who is the Only Savior and the Only Hope in this world, we pray. Amen.

No One Means No One

Today is the National Day of Prayer. Our nation is part of a world gone crazy, a world where it is acceptable to hate Jesus but not any other prophet or god. A world where humanism is the order of the day, where groups that are on opposite ends of the political and religious spectrum work together to abolish Christianity from the world scene. 

Ironic in that Jesus says boldly- He alone is the only way to God the Father. He is the Truth, and He is the Life. Jesus said no one would get to an eternal life in heaven without believing in Him and that He alone died on the cross for the sins of man and was resurrected to life.

Jesus was that direct and simple- not because He hated people. But because He loved them and wanted to make the way to forgiveness and heaven clear. He's more than a prophet, more than a good man. He alone is God incarnate- God in the flesh. All who oppose Him will be lost for eternity. That includes you. That includes me. Wake up, America! We've lost our way. 

Pray today for a fresh start with God- pray for our nation and pray for yourself, won't you? No one should be left out from this opportunity to join a nation in prayer.

And now, the prayer from Dr. Jack Graham, representing the National Day of Prayer 2015:

"Heavenly Father,

We come to You in the Name that is above every name—Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our hearts cry out to You.

Knowing that You are a prayer-answering, faithful God—the One we trust in times like these—we ask that You renew our spirits, revive our churches, and heal our land.

We repent of our sins and ask for Your grace and power to save us. Hear our cry, oh God, and pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may walk in obedience to Your Word.

We are desperate for Your tender mercies. We are broken and humbled before You.

Forgive us, and in the power of Your great love, lift us up to live in Your righteousness.

We pray for our beloved nation. May we repent and return to You and be a light to the nations. And we pray for our leaders and ask that You give them wisdom and faith to follow You.

Preserve and protect us, for You are our refuge and only hope.

Deliver us from all fears except to fear You, and may we courageously stand in the Truth that sets us free.

We pray with expectant faith and grateful hearts.

In Jesus’ name, our Savior.

Amen."

– 2015 National Prayer by Dr. Jack Graham

Today is The Day

Today is the National Day of Prayer. Especially in an election year, it is a perfect day to set aside our differences and join in unity, praying for our country, our community, our leaders, our world. Abraham Lincoln said it best, " It is the duty of nations as well as men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God."

Join me, will you? Take a moment and pray, focusing on these seven areas: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family.

In 2009, the brilliant teacher, Beth Moore, was the Honorary Chairman that year, and she offered her own prayer:

"Father in Heaven, We lift our eyes toward Your Throne, where You reign in righteousness. Your Word assures us that when Your people cry out in sincerity and humility, You will never turn a deaf ear towards us. We call upon You now, seeking Your forgiveness and favor. Look over this fevered landscape and heal us, Lord. Drop knees to the floor and raise eyes to the sky, for we know where our help comes from. United these States again in devotion to You, and blur every dividing line. Do not give us over to our sins. Give us, instead, over to passionate prayer that moves Your heart. 'May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." In the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."