February 12: Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

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This prayer helps youth reflect on and remember Abraham Lincoln.

Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5:12)

We know that Abraham Lincoln was a man who took a stand. The following is something Lincoln said that we should think about: "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my great concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."

Dear God, I am working on taking a stand on many things: with my parents, the rest of my family, and my friends. Please help me to consider what I say before I say it, so that my word can stand strong, like Abraham Lincoln's.

For more: In Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), starting at chapter 51, verse 13, read the poem about how to seek wisdom and how to become a person of your word.

Acknowledgments

(This prayer is taken from Good News, Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens, by Dee Bernhardt, Larry Schatz, and Laurie Ziliak [Winona, MN: Saint Mary's Press, 1999], page 49. Copyright © 1999 by Saint Mary's Press. Permission is granted for this prayer to be used for classroom or campus ministry purposes. This prayer may not be republished in any form without written permission from Saint Mary's Press. To order this book, contact Saint Mary's Press at 800-533-8095, or visit our online catalog at www.smp.org/catalog.cfm.)

Published January 6, 2004.