A Benediction for the Jersey City Lincoln Association Dinner

A Benediction for the Jersey City Lincoln Association Dinner, February 12, 2008



God of our Fathers and Mothers,

We thank you for the gift of Abraham Lincoln.

We thank you for his courage, wisdom, and steadfastness.

We thank you also for the faithful witness of the Lincoln Association of Jersey City.

We ask you to raise up leaders like Abraham Lincoln in our own time. We ask for leaders who offer malice toward none and charity to all.

Loving God, we ask you to raise up in our own time leaders who do not presume that you are on our side.

Instead, give us leaders like Abraham Lincoln who hope always to be on your side.

Bless our great city with prosperity and wellbeing for all. Bless all of us gathered here tonight.

Give all of us the strength to finish the work we are in.

We ask all of this confident that you alone are perfect peace and perfect liberty.

Amen.