Page 58 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - September 2009

54 Prayers for 9/11 54 Prayers for 9/11 Remember 9/11 Prayer Lastly, I pray for every peace lover in this A Prayer for Unity Compiled by a Navy Chaplain world. Reverend Wintley Phipps May God break the cycle of violence to make a Almighty God, the past year will be indelibly difference for His Peace and Grace in this sinful pray today that from the ashes will rise inscribed in our memories. world. a new spirit of beauty and unity in America. We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of Already, all across this nation our last September 11th. GOD BLESS AMERICA. hearts have been knit together into a new But we looked with honor on acts of courage by tapestry of one America. ordinary people Because of this tragedy, we have been who sacrificed themselves to prevent further From his address to a bound together by a silver chord of hope and death and destruction. General Audience - brotherhood and sisterhood. September 12, 2001 What was meant to drive us apart has We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for really drawn us together. those we loved and lost. Pope John Paul II We journeyed through a dark valley, but your May we always remember. light has led us to a place of hope. Brothers and Sisters, in great dismay, before the You have turned our grief into determination. horror of destructive violence, but strong in the And so today we ask, God, that you We are resolved to do what is good, and right, faith that has always guided our fathers, we turn would wipe the tears of all in need of comfort. and just. That you would warm the heart of one to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who would grow cold from bitterness. salvation of his people, and with the confidence Help us to remember what it means to be That you would lift the head of that one Americans— of children, pray that He will come to our aid in who is bowed down in sadness. these days of mourning and innocent suffering. a people endowed with abundant blessings. That you would touch the discouraged Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and 1. For the Churches of the East and the West, and remind them that love will always conquer inspire us to stand hate. with courage, united as one Nation in the midst and in particular for the Church in the United States of America so that, though humbled by of any adversity. We thank you, God, for making us such loss and mourning, yet inspired by the Mother a resilient people. We know that we are. of the Lord, strong woman beside the cross of Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen. her Son, they may foster the will for And we pray now for the strength to reconciliation, peace, and the building of the Prayers - Specific for civilization of love. rise again, to build again, and to live free from September 11,2001 fear. We pray that you will help us rebuild A Prayer for USA 2. For all those who bear the name of Christian, our broken lives and mend our broken hearts. so that, in the midst of many persons who are We pray that you will give us the David Cohen tempted to hatred and doubt, they will be courage to face evil and the faith to believe witnesses to the presence of God in history and that good will never be defeated. I pray for the survivors of the attack on the victory of Christ over death. September 11, 2001. Hold us close to your heart. 3. For the leaders of nations, so that they will I pray for the families who have lost loved ones. not allow themselves to be guided by hatred and And through our tears, and through our the spirit of retaliation, but may do everything I pray for the rescue workers and police on the possible to prevent new hatred and death, by sorrow, may we all see a new vision of a new tomorrow. scene. bringing forth works of peace. Prayer At Time Of Adversity I pray for the doctors and nurses caring for the 4. For those who are weeping in sorrow over the hurting. loss of relatives and friends, that in this hour of An Inuit Indian Prayer suffering they will not be overcome by sadness, I pray for the reporters who work through despair and vengeance, but continue to have I think over again my small adventures. intense emotion to bring us the pictures and faith in the victory of good over evil, of life over My fears, news of the day. death. Those small ones that seemed so big, For all the vital things I pray for the President and other elected leaders 5. For those suffering and wounded by the I had to get and reach. who so desperately need wisdom from beyond terrorist acts, that they may return to stability And yet there is only one great thing, themselves. and health and, appreciating the gift of life, may The only thing, generously foster the will to contribute to the To live to see the great day that dawns I pray for the pastors in Washington and New well being of every human being. And the light that fills the world. [] York who care first-hand for the spiritual needs of those who have experienced this great 6. For our brothers and sisters who met death in tragedy. the folly of violence, that they find sure joy and life everlasting in the peace of the Lord, that I pray for the military and intelligence agencies their death may not be in vain but become a who seek to find out who would do this so they leaven bringing forth a season of brotherhood might be brought to justice. and collaboration among peoples. I pray for our nation -- that this event will bring O Almighty and merciful God, you cannot be us together and turn our thoughts toward understood by one who sows discord, you helping each other to fight and VANISH the cannot be accepted by one who loves violence: terrorism out of the world. look upon our painful human condition tried by cruel acts of terror and death, comfort your I pray for all those who might be tempted to children and open our hearts to hope, so that our think that violence accomplishes anything of time may again know days of serenity and lasting value. We've seen too much of it in the peace. recent years. Through Christ our Lord. Amen