A PRAYER ON THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

     Father - we come before you sobered by our memories of this day. Each of us can close our eyes and see the images so prominent in our news media the day of the attack, and for months afterward. The sky in New York was cloudless, and the sun shined brightly - just as it did in Washington, in Shanksville, and here, in Pittsburgh. We remember the black smoke and flames rising from those towers, the people falling to their death, the billowing clouds of gray dust as the towers collapsed - panicked people running through the streets .
     Almost 3,000 people died that day, and we remember Lord, that each and every one of them was made in your image - each of them an eternal being destined for heaven, or destined for hell. In that unexpected instant, they met their destiny. On that day, the lives of a very large group of people - perhaps 10,000 or more - were changed forever. We think of the husbands and wives suddenly widowed. The children who lost a parent. The first-responders who lost their services brothers and sisters, and more... We lift those people before you Heavenly Father, and ask that you comfort them - not just today, on the 10th anniversary of the attack - but every day. We pray Lord, that you would bring to them the peace that only you can bring, and that your Spirit would quiet troubled hearts.
     It is so hard for us to imagine such hatred - such evil - that could cause anyone to do something so terrible. But you, Lord - you know the heart of man. The reality is that were it not for your grace, each of us would be capable of such evil acts - and we thank you and praise you for your grace. Father in heaven, we pray against these acts of terrorism. Right now - as we gather together - there is someone plotting evil against us. We pray for those people. We ask that you would touch their hearts and minds and bring the transformation only you can bring.
     We humbly ask you - sovereign Lord, to continue to protect the United States of America. You are the only true source of security, and we acknowledge that truth. Yet -we also need to do what we can do as a nation to protect ourselves. According to your word, Government is to commend the good, punish evil, and protect its citizens. We pray for our President, Senators & Representatives, our Governors, and all who serve in elected office - that you would give them wisdom and guidance to do what is needed to protect the citizens they are called to serve. And we lift before you those who have chosen to serve in our armed forces. We thank you for these men & women, and we ask that you would protect those who protect us.

     Finally Lord, we acknowledge before you that terrorism is not the greatest threat to our nation. History teaches us that great nations have fallen in the past - not because of attacks by a hostile nation or ideology, but because they crumbled from within. We ask you omnipotent Lord - to save us from ourselves. We have drifted far from you and become prideful of our independence and wealth. We have somehow come to believe that we are responsible for this good life - when in reality you are the provider of every good and perfect gift.

     We ask that the citizens of this nation would awaken to what is happening all around us. That each would see the profound moral decay, the extensive corruption, the rejection of religion and morality and say “Enough!” Not so that we would control the power of the state, but so that you would be honored by the general conduct of this nation.

    We pray Father that you would bring revival and renewal in the United States of America, and the hearts of it’s citizens would be drawn to you.

     Always aware of how undeserving we are, yet also aware of your grace, we ask all of these things in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus.


May it be so....