Let us pray:
On all who continue to grieve
and all who died in the events of September 11th and its aftermath,
Jesus, pour mercy.
On those whose homes, livelihood,
and psychological well-being were destroyed or compromised,
Jesus, pour mercy.
On those displaced.
Jesus, pour mercy.
On the devastation of city and countryside
both in this country and throughout the world.
Jesus, pour mercy.
When we give a death-dealing interpretation to your word of grace,
Jesus, awaken justice.
When we bind up our own wounds only,
and forget the suffering of stranger,
Jesus, awaken justice.
When in our fear we retreat and isolate,
Jesus, awaken justice.
When we seek security only based on military might
and not on right-relationships among peoples,
Jesus, awaken justice.
That all who continue to suffer may heal
and the nations of the world will find peace;
Jesus, we labor with you.
That growing understanding among faithful peoples
will lead to a shared vision of peace;
Jesus, we labor with you.
That profound cooperation among nations,
which share God’s earth, may lead to structures of peace;
Jesus, we labor with you.
That oppressive economic and military structures
may be transformed and structures may grow that lead to peace;
Jesus, we labor with you.
O God, hear our hopes
and make us faithful in your way of love and justice.
In your name, Jesus, the make of peace, Amen.
—excerpted from the larger liturgy, O God, Tender and Just posted on the United Church of Christ website. Click here to view the entire liturgy.
For more litanies and prayers for the tenth anniversary of 9 11, click on September 11 Worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
