Forgiveness Prayer by Abe Lincoln

FORGIVENESS - by Abraham Lincoln

I will now and forever more, silently offer my forgiveness, even to those who do not see that they need it.

By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up my bitterness. I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellow man.

I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.

Knowing that slavery, in any form, is wrong. I also know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave.

I am not a slave. I have chosen my counsel with God.

I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course.

Those who are critical of my goals and my dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called.

Therefore, their scorn does not affect my attitude or action. I forgive their lack of vision and I forge ahead. I now know that criticism is a part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity.

I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.

For many years, my greatest enemy has been myself. Every mistake, every miscalculation, every stumble I made has been replayed again and again in my mind. Every broken promise, every day wasted, every goal not reached has compounded the disgust I feel for the lack of great achievement in my life. My dismay developed a paralyzing grip.

When I disappoint myself, I respond with inaction and become even more disappointed.

I realize today that it is impossible to fight an enemy living in my head. By forgiving myself, I choose to erase the doubts, fears, and frustration that have kept my past in the present.

From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.

I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. I will forgive myself.

I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.

Lincoln's Prayer

In the spring of 1863, America stood on the brink of collapse as the Civil War turned the country into a house divided. At the height of this tragedy, Abraham Lincoln issued an appeal for national repentance, fasting, and prayer. Today, more than 150 years later, the 16th president’s heartfelt plea for divine healing and restoration still resounds with power, relevance and truth.