This prayer has been written for Sunday 11th September 2011, ten years on from the 9 11 attacks. It is designed to help congregations reflect on their memories, and centre around God and how he meets us in tradgedy. There is a PowerPoint you can show, or you could just print the words in a service booklet.
"On the morning of September 11 2001, 2,976 people from 93 nations lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon, and on Flight 93.
Today, ten years on, we pause to remember that moment of horror and pray for those left scarred by those terrible events."
We remember the first time we heard the news.
We recall the first time we saw those images.
We remember the way our thoughts and prayers were with those families who lost loved ones.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them again today.
O God of Comfort - ten years have passed.
Yesterday, today and forever;
let your love and peace endure.
We remember those who survived.
We recall their heart-breaking stories.
We remember that their lives are forever scarred by those moments.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them again today.
O God of Healing - ten years have passed.
Yesterday, today and forever;
let your love and peace endure.
We remember the pain we felt.
We recall the bereavement and bitterness of the aftermath.
We remember that you are a God of redemption and restoration.
Help us forgive those who caused so much trauma, and that we may find release in that forgiveness.
O God of forgiveness - ten years have passed.
Yesterday, today and forever;
let your love and peace endure.
We remember that you love the world.
We recall you sent your Son to bring reconciliation and salvation.
We remember your Spirit inhabits your Church.
Help us bring your comfort and peace to all.
O God of hope - ten years have passed.
Yesterday, today and forever;
let your love and peace endure.
© Jimmy Orr/engageworship.org
