My prayer on this day of remembrance, September 11th.
God, our Creator and Guide:
Today, we remember.
We remember that day, the 11th of September 2001. For many of us, we vividly recall exactly where we were and what we were doing when all hell seemed to break loose. As those planes collided into the steel and glass of the World Trade Center Towers, we shook in disbelief and then with shock as the fire and smoke poured through New York’s streets – with thousands of our fellow citizens on the run that crisp, blue sky morning.
We remember how we felt as another jetliner careened into the Pentagon. Pandemonium and fear ensued. We stood in horror as the tragedy unfolded before our eyes across the airwaves of television and radio.
Pennsylvania’s countryside was quiet – even still – until suddenly a fourth plan collided into the beautiful soil. Death and despair were palpable in the air. “What is happening!?” we all wondered.
Yet through the flames, haze, and smoke, You filled us with courage and hope. Our brave firefighters, police officers, EMS responders, and myriad military members charged forward into the fight to rescue survivors, ward off other potential attackers, and track down and decimate our foes – the enemies of American freedom and justice. Upon this, we remember… and our hearts swell with the deepest kind of gratitude.
On that day, You turned our minds to what matters most: our unity as a nation, that though we are many different states and all sorts of people, we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for everyone. Our politicians of every persuasion prayed together, wept together, and even sang together on the steps of the Capitol.
You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
So, today, we remember September 11th – a moment forever seared in our memory. We remember those 2,977 lives lost on American soil.
We ask that You, God, would give deep comfort to those who continue to grieve their loved ones who died on that day. We pray You would reignite our unity, courage, and resolve to live with the strength of those who paved the way before us, so that those who come behind us will, too, revel in the liberty and justice that we right now enjoy.
Guide us, oh great God. Turn our gratitude into bold fortitude, no matter what the future holds, marching forward until our mission is complete.
We remember… and so was ask all of this in Your Almighty, holy name, Amen.
