Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

During war times many people pray and rely on God for protection and victory. Lincoln and Twain write texts about war, and how each side prays to win the war. Although, both Lincoln and Twain believe God has different will's during war.

Abraham Lincoln's "Second Inaugural Address" speech he explains how both the North and the South are praying for victory. However, he assures the North they will win, because God wants to remove the offense of slavery in America. He explains how God "give both North and South this terrible war" for allowing "slavery". He believes that the war my last "until every drop of blood drawn with the lash" be paid back from all the slavery that went on in America. Abraham Lincoln concludes that God's will in this war is to establish the punishment for all the "offenses" that the South and North did against him and all the people mistreated during slavery.
Although, the speaker tells the audience that asking for victory also means you're asking for the defeat of the other side. The speaker informs us that of "if you would beseech a blessing upon yourself" you also are invoking " a curse upon a neighbor". The speakers establishes the thought that if we pray to God he may answer our prayers, but you just prayed to " tear their soldiers to bloody shreds". He try's to warn the listeners that prayers may have a good effect, but also a bad effect, so always be careful for what you ask God to