Here is an excerpt of a set of prayers at the Table suitable for use on the upcoming tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. To see the entire set of prayers, click on the link below.
Invitation to the Table
Christ is perhaps known more readily
In brokenness than in wholeness.
In the breaking open of the intact tomb
We realize, “Christ is risen!”
With wounds still visible
The risen Lord appears.
In the breaking of the bread,
In the fruit of the vine crushed
And poured out, emptied,
Christ is revealed as present and able.
This is Christ’s table
Spread for broken people,
not perfect people,
But for those whose lives are fragmented, crushed,
Utterly reliant upon God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
Come to this table, then, not because you are able,
But because our Lord is able
To raise us up and hold us fast
Even when all falls apart around us.
Let us pray.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right to give you thanks and praise
even in the midst of tragedy
and the remembrance of horror.
For you are the God of creation
who brings forth order out of chaos,
brooding over the face of the dark deep,
murmuring words of future hope…. (to read the rest, click here)
—from September 11 Remembrance Liturgical Resources, posted on the PCUSA website. http://www.pcusa.org/
For more prayers and litanies 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.
