Reflecting on Lincoln's Faith During His Darkest Hours

The 16th president's private meditation on God's will during the Civil War offers lessons for us today.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an old wooden desk in the White House, with a single candle flickering and casting long shadows across the surface, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation.A pensive moment of private reflection in the midst of the Civil War's immense challenges reveals the depth of Lincoln's faith.Washington Today

On the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, this story examines the 16th president's deep Christian faith and how it sustained him during the immense challenges of the Civil War. It focuses on a private 'Meditation on the Divine Will' that Lincoln wrote in 1862, where he grappled with the meaning of God's purpose amidst the nation's suffering.

Why it matters

Lincoln's faith journey provides a powerful example of how leaders can turn to God for strength and wisdom, even in the darkest of times. His willingness to be honest with himself and God about his confusion and grief offers a model for how we can approach our own trials with humility and trust in providence.

The details

In September 1862, during one of the most personally challenging parts of the Civil War, Lincoln wrote a private 'Meditation on the Divine Will.' The Union had recently lost the Second Battle of Bull Run, and there were immense challenges ahead for the president. The country was tiring of the war, and the growing death toll weighed heavily on Lincoln. In this letter, the president worked through his confusion and stress about the most important decision of his life - whether to continue the war or seek an end to the conflict.

  • Lincoln wrote the 'Meditation on the Divine Will' in September 1862, during the Civil War.
  • Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, Good Friday.

The players

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th President of the United States, who led the country through the Civil War.

John Wilkes Booth

The man who assassinated President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865.

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What they’re saying

“The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.”

— Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States

The takeaway

Lincoln's private meditation on God's will during the Civil War offers a powerful example of how leaders can turn to faith for strength and wisdom, even in the darkest of times. His willingness to be honest with himself and God about his confusion and grief provides a model for how we can approach our own trials with humility and trust in providence.