re:Worship: September 11 worship

God of all races, nations, and religions,
You know that we cannot change others,
Nor can we change the past.
But we can change ourselves.
We can join You in changing our only
And common future where you 'reign'
The same over all.

Help us not to say, "Lord, Lord" to any tribal gods,
But to hear the One God of all the earth,
And to do God's good thing for this One World.

~ written by Fr. Richard Rohr, in a collection of Prayers for 9 11, posted on the Huffington Post website. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Prayers of the People: September 11

Here’s a prayer of intercession written for an anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11. It was written by Tobias Haller.

Prayer of Intercession: September 11

With all our heart and all our mind, we pray to you, O Lord.

Make us instruments of your peace.

For the peace of the world,

that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow

among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord:

Where there is hatred, let us sow love.

For our enemies and those who wish us harm,

especially those led to acts of terror;

that in the aftermath of the destruction of September 11th, 2001

we may grow ever more deeply in your spirit of justice and peace,

we pray to you, O Lord:

Were there is injury, let us sow pardon.

For all who believe in you, Lord Christ,

and all whose faith is known to you alone,

that they may be delivered from the darkness of fanaticism

that arises from poverty and oppression,

and from the pride that arises from wealth and comfort,

and brought into your light, we pray to you, O Lord:

Where there is discord, let us sow union.

For those who have lost their faith in you,

for those who continue to mourn those who died on that terrible day,

that your Church may give comfort and hope in this time of remembrance,

we pray to you, O Lord:

Were there is doubt, let us sow faith.

For all those whose spirit has been broken

and whose lives have been disrupted

by the violence of that day and its aftermath,

we offer our prayers along with the persecuted,

the lonely, and the sick, and those who have bid our prayers today,

that they may be relieved and protected.

For these and for those whose need we do not know, we pray to you, O Lord:

Where there is despair, let us sow hope.

For the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church,

especially in the Diocese of New York;

that we may hear the Gospel and proclaim it in word and action

to build up your kingdom here on earth, we pray to you, O Lord:

Where there is darkness, let us sow light.

For all who died in the terror of September, 2001

and for those others whom we remember today,

(especially _______________);

for those who believed in your resurrection

and those who did not know your promise of eternal life,

in trust that they have been found by you

and are at rest in your holy habitation, we pray to you, O Lord:

Where there is sadness, let us sow joy.

We pray for the concerns of our parish;

especially giving thanks for those who celebrate birthdays this week

_____________. (Silence)

And we pray for the forgiveness of our sins.

Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

Take heart, in Christ we have been reconciled to God.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we reborn to eternal life. Amen.

~ written by Tobias Stanislas Haller, BSG, in Liturgical Resources for the first anniversary of 9/11/2001. Posted on the website of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. http://www.dioceseny.org/

A Prayer for the Anniversary of 9/11

O God,

you made us in your own image

and redeemed us through Jesus your Son:

As we commemorate the anniversary

of the terrorist attack on our nation,

continue to look with compassion on the whole human family.

Take away the arrogance and hatred which infects our hearts;

Break down the walls that separate us;

Unite us in the bonds of love;

And work through our struggle and confusion

to accomplish your purposes on earth; that,

in your good time,

all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

— adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, and posted on the Episcopal Relief & Development website. http://blog.er-d.org/blog/special-prayers

Anniversary Prayer for 9/11

Here’s a prayer for the anniversary of 9/11 from Dr. John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York.

9/11 Anniversary Prayer

Almighty God,

bless your beautiful world.

Lead her leaders from falsehood,

into Truth and Justice.

Guard and defend your children.

Re-kindle in all the citizens of your world,

the fire of your love.

And inspire us

to love one another,

and to be peace-makers.

Through Jesus Christ,

the Saviour of the World.

Amen.

~ written by Dr. John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York. Posted on the Archbishop of York website. http://www.archbishopofyork.org/

9/11 Prayer of Remembrance & Hope

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession for the anniversary of 9/11. It was written by the Westport-Weston Clergy Association.

Prayer of Remembrance and Hope: 9/11

Dear God, we remember before you today those whose lives were lost in the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001, and for all those whom we love but no longer see. We give thanks to you for the selfless courage of those brave souls who ran into burning buildings and who labored in the rubble; may their courage be to us a witness of what is possible when we are guided by love and dedication to our fellow human beings.

We pray today for the continued healing of all those suffering emotional and physical scars. May your spirit breathe new breath into clouded lungs, new life into troubled minds, and new warmth into broken hearts, so that all may feel wrapped in your loving embrace. May we move from suffering to hope, from brokenness to wholeness, from anxiety to courage, from death to life, from fear to love, and from despair to hope.

Guide our feet into the way of peace. Inspire us with hope in the gift of shalom and salaam. May we receive this gift, so that we might become instruments of your peace in this world, knowing all people as equally loved, lovingly created, children of God. Amen.

~ written by the Westport-Weston Clergy Assocation and posted on the 06880 blog. http://06880danwoog.com/

Reflection: Nine Eleven

Now we are a little more like others,
Who live with fear as daily bread,
A little more like others,
Who fear that we will make them dead.

— written by Pat Conover, 2006. Posted on her Pat Conover: Sharing the Journey website. http://www.patconover.com/christian/NineEleven.html

A Prayer for 9/11

Here’s a prayer for the anniversary of 9/11, written by Rabbi David Wolpe.

A Prayer for 9/11

Dear God, how do we pray for what was lost? We cannot pray for deliverance or a miracle, for the tragedy has already burned itself into our souls. Children have grown fatherless. Families are long since bereaved. We know there is no prayer to change the past.

So we pray to live with memory, with constant love, with the promise both to combat evil and to cherish goodness. Do not let our pain cloud our hopes or crush our hearts. Help us grow through this tragedy, keep faith with its victims, and sustain our trust in You.

~ written by Rabbi David Wolpe, in a collection of Prayers for 9 11, posted on the Huffington Post website. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

9/11 Litany of Penitence & Thanksgiving

Here’s a litany of penitence and thanksgiving for the anniversary of September 11. It was written by Tobias Stanislas Haller. He writes “This Litany may be used as a single long prayer or divided into two sections for use in different parts of an interfaith service.”

The bold lines are to be read by the congregation.

Litany of Penitence & Thanksgiving for 9/11

Most Holy and Almighty God,

who created the earth and all that is in it,

and gave dominion over it to our first parents in the days of their innocence:

Look with compassion upon the whole human family,

When we fail to treat each other with the dignity your children merit.

Free us from all arrogance and hatred,

That our hearts and hands may be made clean in your sight.

Break down the walls we build to separate and divide us,

For without your help we perish in our isolation and division.

Forgive us our faults and sins,

our hasty judgments and our rash presumption,

For you alone are judge, and know the secret faults of every person.

Unite us in the bonds of love,

That we may truly be your children.

Comfort us in the loss of those we love and cherish,

For you seek and find the lost,

and preserve them in your care.

Enlighten us in our confusion and distress,

That we may do your will in peace and harmony.

Even in the midst of our anguish and our pain,

in our memory of loss and destruction,

we turn to you, O Lord our God, and give you thanks,

for your continued mercies and the gift of hope.

We thank you for inspired hearts and helping hands,

For all who work to recover and rebuild.

We thank you for the skill and care of those who heal the wounded,

and comfort those who mourn,

Give them strength and courage in their task.

We thank you for the leaders of [our city], of our nation, and our world,

Give them the wisdom and patience to chose your path.

We thank you for all who seek the truth, who love justice and mercy,

and who walk in your ways,

Give them the humbleness of spirit to love and serve you always.

We thank you for the knowledge of your continued presence with us.

For you will not leave us comfortless.

You are the God who works wonders,

In you only is our trust.

O God, you are the source of wisdom, justice, love and peace:

Give us in our present need the light of your wisdom,

the courage of your justice,

the patience of your love

and the assurance of your peace. Amen.

~ written by Tobias Stanislas Haller, BSG, in Liturgical Resources for the first anniversary of 9/11/2001. Posted on the website of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. http://www.dioceseny.org/

Memorial Prayer for 9/11

Here’s a beautiful prayer written by Jimmy Orr for September 11, 2011, the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States.

9 11 Memorial Prayer

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.

For more worship resources 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.

Prayer of Invocation for Sept. 11, 2011

Here’s an opening prayer written by Rev. Mindi for worship on September 11, 2011.

Prayer of Invocation

God of Creation,

You created all of us in Your image.

On this day we remember that throughout history

there are those who have distorted Your image,

seeking power for themselves instead of submitting to Your power,

destroying relationships through violence, fear and oppression

rather than seeking to build up relationships through love, peace and mercy.

In this time of worship, as we have gathered to remember,

we call on You, Creator of the Earth,

to guide us into using the power You have given us

to create, not to destroy;

to love, not to hate;

to build instead of tearing down;

to reconcile instead of breaking apart;

to seek restorative justice instead of revenge.

Guide our hearts and minds to remember

that we are created in Your image to be creative beings in this world.

In the name of Jesus the Christ,

who went to the cross instead of revenge,

who walked this earth in peace instead of carrying weapons,

and who in the resurrection comes and says “Peace be with you,”

we pray that we might walk in His name. Amen.

—written by Rev. Mindi, on her Rev-o-lution blog.

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.

For more worship resources related to the scripture texts for September 11, 2011 (the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 19A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Prayer index.

Responsive Call to Worship: Sept. 11

Though the storm clouds of doubt and fear threaten to overcome us
God leads us into ways of peace.
When the darkness of war and the deep pit of anger reach toward us
God lifts and carries us through the darkness with hope and light.
Lord of hope and life, be with us today.
God of mercy and peace, lead our lives. AMEN.

— Nancy C. Townley, posted on Ministry Matters website.

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.

For more worship resources related to the texts for September 11, 2011 (the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 19A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For more calls to worship, click on Calls to worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right, or see this Call to Worship index.

Call to Worship: Sept. 11 Anniversary

Call to Worship

Let us focus on God’s presence.

In the midst of a world where people hunger and thirst …

Come worship a God who feeds the hungry.

In the midst of a world where people are abused and oppressed …

Come worship a God who calls for compassion and justice.

In the midst of a world filled with wars and rumors of war …

Come worship a God who desires nothing less than peace for the world.

In the midst of a world of spiritual emptiness …

Come worship a God who gives life meaning.

Come, let us worship the Lord, whose grace and love know no end!

—from September 11 Remembrance Liturgical Resources, posted on the PCUSA website.

For more worship resources 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.

Call to Worship for September 11, 2011

Call to Worship

Come before God not leaving the world behind,

but drawing it into the Sacred Presence.

We gather on this day of remembrance and lamentation,

to praise and pray, to mourn and repent.

Come before God with your hearts open to the Holy One

and your arms open to your neighbors.

We gather on this day to proclaim our allegiance to God,

to follow in the risky way of Jesus Christ.

God alone is worthy of our ultimate loyalty.

Christ alone is our Savior in this world and the world to come.

Praise be to God, whose mercies are new every morning!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases!

—from Service of Remembrance and Lamentation, on the Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Chuch USA.

For more worship resources 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.

New Hymn for the 10th Anniversary of September 11

Here’s a new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, written for the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

O God, Our Hearts Were Shattered

O God, our hearts were shattered On that horrendous day;
We heard the news and gathered To grieve and then to pray.
We cried to you and wondered, "Where did the violence start?"
The world as we had known it Had just been torn apart.

We heard of those who perished — Of heroes' sacrifice.
We paused again to cherish The gifts of love and life.
We worried for the future; We hugged our loved ones then.
We cried, "Can peace be found here?" "We can't let terror win!"

Some sought to answer terror The only way they knew —
With anger toward the stranger And calls for vengeance, too.
Yet this is not your answer, Nor what you would create.
May we live toward a future Where love will conquer hate.

God, give us faith and wisdom To be your healing hands;
Give open minds that listen To truth from all your lands.
Give strength to work for justice; Grant love that casts out fear.
Then peace and not destruction Will be the victor here.

Tune: LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D (Lead On, O King Eternal)
Alternate Tune: PASSION CHORALE 7.6.7.6 D

The National Council of Churches has the hymn text with the music. (PDF file)

The national United Methodist Worship Office has done their own version of the hymn text with the music.

Permission is given for use of this hymn for local church use.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette also wrote "O God, Our Words Cannot Express" on September 11, 2001; the hymn was used by many churches on that evening and in the days that followed. She has also written “God, We’ve Known Such Grief and Anger.”

For more worship resources 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.

Litany of Confession for September 11

A Litany of Confession

Creator God, with the breath of your word,

you formed this world good, but we perverted your providence.

So we are born into a twisted world, bent by its way.

Lord, in your mercy,

Make us new.

You made us to hunger after you,

but we have become captive to selfish desires.

We turn our eyes from souls and bellies that are empty

so we can stay glutted.

Lord in your mercy,

Make us new.

You made us to be in communion with one another,

yet we’re so afraid of others’ expectations

that we shut them out before they can get too near.

We see them as threat, label them bad,

refuse their voice and presence as your children.

Lord, in your mercy,

Make us new.

You alone are ruler of the universe,

but we keep trying to take your job.

We grab for power and seek control,

doing violence to all who get in our way or challenge our truth.

Lord in your mercy,

Make us new.

Basically, Lord, we want to be in charge, and we want it all,

the way we want it, when we want it.

In our dominance,

we break communion with you as Lord and also with others.

Lord in your mercy,

Make us new.

We stand exposed in the light of your eternal love,

filled with death, yet longing for life.

You alone have the power to break our bondage to sin.

Forgive us, O Lord.

Cover us with your compassion, and refashion us in your image.

This we pray through Christ, our only hope.

Amen.

—from September 11 Remembrance Liturgical Resources, posted on the PCUSA website.

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.

Litany of Remembrance for Sept. 11

A Litany of Remembrance, Penitence and Hope

We light a candle in remembrance for all those who suffered and died on September 11th in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. We light a candle to remember those who still live and who suffer because of the events of that day.

When we remember the stockbrokers, office workers, maintenance workers, bystanders, window-washers and all the others who worked together so valiantly to help each other, we can say together,

We remember great courage.

When we recall the firefighters who rushed upstairs as most everyone else was racing out, we can say together,

We remember selfless service.

When we recall the police officers who stood to protect and defend the people and performed their duties until the towers came crashing down on top of them, we can say together,

We remember selfless sacrifice for the safety of others.

When we recall the thousands of workers, women and men and, old and young, single and married, American-born and those born in countries around the world who did not escape the buildings, we can say together,

We remember the loss of human life.

When we recall those citizens who rushed to help, did all they could to help, we can say together,

We remember and give thanks for dutiful commitment to those in distress.

When we recall the people who stood in line at the nation's blood banks to make living donations from their very bodies, we can say together,

We give thanks for those who live on to pass on life and love.

When we remember the millions of Americans who gave so generously of their life and labor to endow funds to help the survivors and their families recover from their losses, we can say together,

We are grateful for generosity.

Remembrance begins with deep, personal identification. It begins with remembering the affliction of our brothers and sisters, and marking their pain as our own. Remembrance is a sacred moment when we raise up and hold to the light of the eternal moment, the good who have passed.

We light a candle, in penitence, recognizing that we have not done enough to address the sources of anger, hate, dehumanization, rage and indignation that lead to acts of violence.

In our sadness, horror and shock we acknowledge that our own fears turned murderous and we have sought revenge, sometimes against even the innocent.

We confess and regret our own anger and recognize its dangers to our spirits, our health, our community, and others.

In the midst of the aftermath of the events of September 11th, 2001 we have been tempted to seek only our own good, hear only our own truth, acknowledge only our own suffering

We know that peace will come to us and to our children only when the concerns of justice anywhere become the subject of political and social will everywhere, and that no justice leads to no peace.

In striving for national security and domestic peace we run the risk of confusing might for right and participating in the very behaviors we condemn.

Guard and guide our country that in our search for security we may not trample the rights of the innocent nor disregard the rule of law. Let us not confuse leadership within the global community as the voice for the whole community.

Repentance means to turn away from wrong deeds. Repentance means choosing instead deeds which require moral restraint, and are more beneficial to all persons who suffer.

We light a candle to light the way to a better world for our children and our children's children, and all the children of God.

We recall with joy the unity we felt in the outpouring of help, kindness, thoughtful words and deeds from at home and around the world.

We must hold firmly to our unity, borne forward now not of tragedy but of loving kindness.

We place fresh confidence in international organizations and conversations that bring the diverse gifts of the world to the problems of poverty, injustice, terror and strife.

We long for wise policies that forego short term gain for long term stability, justice and peace.

In a year filled with tragedy we dare to hope for an era yet to come in which the slaughter of innocents, greed, the ambitions of power, and cultural, racial and religious bigotries are but memories of a dim and unenlightened past.

God of the ages, before your eyes all empires rise and fall yet you are changeless. Be near us in this age of terror and in these moments of remembrance. Uphold those who work and watch and wait and weep and love. By your Spirit give rise in us to broad sympathy for all the peoples of your earth. Strengthen us to comfort those who mourn and work in large ways and small for those things that make for peace. Bless the people and leaders of this nation and all nations so that warfare, like slavery before it, may become only a historic memory. We pray in the strong name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

--Liturgy by Rev. Eileen W. Lindner and Rev. Marcel A. Welty. Posted on the Presbyterian Church USA website.

For more worship resources 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.

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