Editor: I understood why the author modestly stated "Words seem powerless at the moment." But I found her words helpful.
John 14:27
[Jesus said:] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not
let them be afraid.
Howard Thurman (1900-1981)
Lord, open unto me
Open unto me-light for my darkness.
Open unto me-courage for my fear.
Open unto me-hope for my despair.
Open unto me-peace for my turmoil.
Open unto me-joy for my sorrow.
Open unto me-strength for my weakness.
Open unto me-wisdom for my confusion.
Open unto me-forgiveness for my sins.
Open unto me-love for my hates.
Open unto me-thy Self for my self.
Lord, Lord, open unto me! Amen.
Dear Friends,
May God be with us all. We are all in shock from the tragedy of the Twin Towers,
of the Pentagon, of Pennsylvania - and wherever else this horror continues to
unfold. Where words fail, we are called to prayer - asking for the Spirit to
pray for us when all we can do is utter groans. Let us pray for those who have
been killed and for their families. Let us pray for the multitudes who have
been injured. Let us pray for all who minister as rescuers and caregivers. Let
us pray for the military and the government leaders who must discern appropriate
responses to this evil. Let us pray for those who have perpetrated this violence
that the evil within them might be healed. Let us pray for an end to this attack
on humanity and God. Let us pray for God's justice.
We are all affected by this evil terrorism - and so there is solidarity of pain today among all God's people. Let us be especially attentive to those we know and love - hanging on to one another for comfort and strength - for most certainly the magnitude of this tragedy will personally affect us all. Let us lift up our fear, our anger, our sadness, and our thirst for revenge.
Consider the scriptures a resource of comfort and release during this time. By turning to the Psalms we will be met by the familiar emotions of fear, sorrow, and extreme anger. The following selections are a place for your hearts to to begin.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding be with us all.
Faithfully Yours,
Scott Winnette
scott@bradleyhillschurch.org
and
Susan Andrews
susan@bradleyhillschurch.org
ROMANS 8:38-39
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
PSALM 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff-
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.
PSALM 85
LORD, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.
You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The LORD will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.