Almighty God:
hear us as we grope awkwardly for words inadequate to express our loss and our
grief,
Open your arms to us in this week of unspeakable tragedy,
Enfold us as we struggle to comprehend that which is incomprehensible,
Blunt in our memories the sharp-edged images of terrorism, of mass destruction
and desolation, the callous, senseless waste of countless numbers of precious
human lives, the twisted lives and the twisted steel, the lives turned to dust
like the structures that housed them.
Never let us forget the tragic loss of life of our citizens, the citizens of
the world who lived here and worked at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,
the passengers and crews, tourists, rescuers and bystanders.
Temper the rage, soothe the ache within and assuage our bitterness over the
ruthless, vindictive assaults on our people and the symbols of our nation.
Raise us from despair and our sense of helplessness.
Comfort and relieve, O Lord, all who are wounded, all who are left behind in
sorrow and grief and all those whose tireless efforts have been devoted to recovery
and restoring to normalcy the chaos and havoc wrought by these cruel deeds
Lead all nations, including our own, and especially the enemies of freedom and
liberty, in the way of justice and righteousness.
Direct those who govern, that they may maintain order, decide wisely, lead us
on paths to true peace and security, protect the innocent of all nations, uphold
those in need and defend oppressed people everywhere.
We ask your special protection of those innocents living within our country,
our cities and our neighborhoods who may be the unjust object of scorn, ridicule,
intimidation, threats and violence against their person simply and erroneously
because of their ethnicity, where those acts are perpetrated by the irrational,
intemperate prejudice and hatred of misguided citizens.
We remember as well, in the midst of this enormous tragedy, [insert here other
areas of concern] and we entreat you to deliver to those cities, communities
and neighborhoods the same relief we ask for our own nation.
Bless us all, O Lord. Heal the divisions, give us hope, stir us to act with
our better natures, show us the way to your peace and understanding.
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray....Our
Father who art in Heaven, ....
Elder and Liturgist Ken Thorson's prayer, offered at Bon Air Presbyterian Church,
Richmond, VA, on September 16, 2001. A mission report from Ginger Hudson, a
young adult volunteer recently returned from Belfast, was part of the service.