9-11
United in Courage & Grief |
We pray today that from the ashes will rise a new spirit of beauty and unity in America.
Already,
all across this nation our hearts have been knit together into a new tapestry of one America.
Because of this tragedy,
we have been bound together by a silver chord of hope and brotherhood and sisterhood.
What was meant to drive us apart has really drawn us together.
May we always remember.
I pray for the survivors of the attack on September
11, 2001.
I pray for the families who have lost loved ones.
I pray for the rescue workers and police on the
scene.
I pray for the doctors and nurses caring for
the hurting.
I pray for the reporters who work through intense
emotion to bring us the pictures and news of the day.
I pray for the President and other elected leaders
who so desperately need wisdom from beyond themselves.
I pray for the pastors in Washington and New
York who care first-hand for the spiritual needs of those who have experienced
this great tragedy.
I pray for the military and intelligence agencies
who seek to find out who would do this so they might be brought to justice.
I pray for our nation -- that this event will
bring us together and turn our thoughts toward helping each other to fight
and VANISH the terrorism out of the world.
I pray for all those who might be tempted to
think that violence accomplishes anything of lasting value. We've seen
too much of it in the recent years.
Lastly, I pray for every peace lover in this
world.
May God break the cycle of violence to make a
difference for His Peace and Grace in this sinful world.
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
God, we come to you a nation in pain.
Hate has wounded us yet again.
We watched in horror as men whose hearts were
filled with hatred, destroyed the lives of thousands of innocent people.
But our hearts also swelled with pride as we
saw hundreds of Americans, whose hearts were filled with love and service,
sacrifice their lives trying to save others. The brave firemen, who marched
undaunted into those burning buildings. Those co-workers who perished because
they refused to leave the side of the paralyzed or the infirmed.
We find so much hope in their heroism.
Last week, our nation lost so many good people,
and for years to come we will all hunger for their smiles, for their laughter,
for their counsel, for their fellowship.
This tragedy has cast a shadow of fear and sadness
over our nation and today we weep for the innocent who have left us.
We mourn for those who have been taken from us.
Those precious children on their first plane
ride.
That father, in pursuit of his career.
That mother trying to keep her children clothed
and fed.
That young professional trying to make ends meet.
When we think of them, we are overwhelmed by
what seems like an unbearable sense of loss.
But God, help us to remember that just as every
flower in a storm is safe with you, we know the innocent are safe also,
God, in your care.
Because of your love we believe we will see our
loved ones again.
Help us to remember that in our sorrow we do
not weep alone.
You weep with us.
I believe that when you lose a loved one you gain
an angel whose name you know.
Over 6,000 and counting, angels added to the
spiritual roster these past two weeks.
It is my prayer that they will keep us in their
sight with a direct line to our hearts.
May we all leave this place and not let one single
life have passed in vain.
May we leave this place determined to now use
every moment that we yet live to turn up the volume in our own lives, to
create deeper meaning, to know what really matters.
What really matters is who you love and how you
love.
Brothers and Sisters, in great dismay, before the horror of destructive violence, but strong in the faith that has always guided our fathers, we turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, salvation of his people, and with the confidence of children, pray that He will come to our aid in these days of mourning and innocent suffering.
1. For the Churches of the East and the West, and in particular for the Church in the United States of America so that, though humbled by loss and mourning, yet inspired by the Mother of the Lord, strong woman beside the cross of her Son, they may foster the will for reconciliation, peace, and the building of the civilization of love.
2. For all those who bear the name of Christian, so that, in the midst of many persons who are tempted to hatred and doubt, they will be witnesses to the presence of God in history and the victory of Christ over death.
3. For the leaders of nations, so that they will not allow themselves to be guided by hatred and the spirit of retaliation, but may do everything possible to prevent new hatred and death, by bringing forth works of peace.
4. For those who are weeping in sorrow over the loss of relatives and friends, that in this hour of suffering they will not be overcome by sadness, despair and vengeance, but continue to have faith in the victory of good over evil, of life over death.
5. For those suffering and wounded by the terrorist acts, that they may return to stability and health and, appreciating the gift of life, may generously foster the will to contribute to the well being of every human being.
6. For our brothers and sisters who met death in the folly of violence, that they find sure joy and life everlasting in the peace of the Lord, that their death may not be in vain but become a leaven bringing forth a season of brotherhood and collaboration among peoples.
O Almighty and merciful God, you cannot be understood
by one who sows discord, you cannot be accepted by one who loves violence:
look upon our painful human condition tried by cruel acts of terror and
death, comfort your children and open our hearts to hope, so that
our time may again know days of serenity and peace.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
May the Blessed Virgin bring comfort and hope
to those who suffer on account of the tragic attack of the terrorists,
that last week seriously harmed the beloved American people.
To all the children of this great Nation I direct
my heartbroken and heartfelt consideration.
May Mary welcome the dead, console the survivors,
support those families who are particularly tried, help all to resist
the temptation to hatred and violence, and to dedicate themselves to the
service of justice and peace.
May the Virgin Mary nourish in the hearts of
all young persons, above all, high human and spiritual ideals and the necessary
perseverance to achieve them.
May She remind them of the primacy of eternal
values, especially in these difficult moments, so that in their daily engagements
and activities they may ever continue to be turned toward God and to his
kingdom of solidarity and peace.
We pray today that from the ashes will rise a
new spirit of beauty and unity in America.
Already, all across this nation our hearts have
been knit together into a new tapestry of one America.
Because of this tragedy, we have been bound together
by a silver chord of hope and brotherhood and sisterhood.
What was meant to drive us apart has really drawn
us together.
May we always remember.
And so today we ask, God, that you would wipe
the tears of all in need of comfort.
That you would warm the heart of one who would
grow cold from bitterness.
That you would lift the head of that one who
is bowed down in sadness.
That you would touch the discouraged and remind
them that love will always conquer hate.
We thank you, God, for making us such a resilient people. We know that we are.
And we pray now for the strength to rise again,
to build again, and to live free from fear.
We pray that you will help us rebuild our broken
lives and mend our broken hearts.
We pray that you will give us the courage to
face evil and the faith to believe that good will never be defeated.
Hold us close to your heart.
And through our tears, and through our sorrow, may we all see a new vision of a new tomorrow.
Prayer At Time Of Adversity
An Inuit Indian Prayer
I think over again my small adventures.
My fears,
Those small ones that seemed so big,
For all the vital things
I had to get and reach.
And yet there is only one great thing,
The only thing,
To live to see the great day that dawns
And the light that fills the world.
May Peace Prevail on Earth
~ The Candle Of Peace, Hope & Unity ~
Peace for a Nation that is hurting.
Hope for more Survivors to be found.
Unity among all Americans.
This candle was lit on the 11th of September
2001.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Prayer for Peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
With each kind thought, each choice for nonviolence,Islamic Prayer of Peace
we plant a seed that shall bloom to bring forth rich fruit in its Season.Together friend, we till the soil and plant the seeds that all creation may
sing for joy and dance in the Garden of Peace.May our prayers and practices during this Season
be but the beginning of a new culture of peace, security and joy
that shall endure unto our children's children's children.
Oh God,Sufi Prayer for Peace
You are Peace.
From You comes Peace,
To You returns Peace.
Revive us with a salutation of peace,
And lead us to your abode of Peace
Jewish Prayer for Peace
Rabbi Nachman ben Feiga of Breslov, 1773-1810
Lord of Peace, Divine Ruler, to whom peace belongs!
Master of Peace, Creator of all things!
May it be thy will to put an end to war and bloodshed
on earth, and to spread a great and wonderful peace over the
whole world, so that nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Help us and save us all, and let us cling tightly to the virtue of peace. Let there be a truly great peace between every person and their fellow, and between husband and wife, and let there be no discord between people even in their hearts.
Let us never shame any person on earth, great
or small. May it be granted unto us to fulfill Thy Commandment to
"Love thy neighbor as thyself," with all our
hearts and souls and bodies and possessions.
And let it come to pass in our time as it is written, "And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down and none shall make you afraid. I will drive the wild beasts from the land, and neither shall the sword go through your land.
God who is peace, bless us with peace !!!
I offer you peace.
I offer you joy.
I offer you friendship.
I hear your needs.
I see your beauty.
Our wisdom comes from
a Higher Source.
Our wisdom comes from
a deeper source.
I honor that Source in you.
Hold on to what is good
even if it's a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe
even if it's a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do
even if it's a long way from here.
Hold on to your life
even if it's easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand
even when I've gone away from you.
There is more light than shadow;
There are more smiles than cares;
More grass grows on the meadow
Than brambles, weeds, and tares.
There is more song than weekpin;
There is more sun than rain;
There is more golden reaping
Than lost and blighted grain.
There is more peace than terror;
There is more hope than fear;
There is more truth than error;
More rights than wrongs appear.
On the long road to glory
We climb more than we fall;
And by and large the story
Comes out right after all.