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Prayer 10/11/2011
 

Sept. 11, 2011
                                       Scripture:  Matthew 18:21-35

Holy and Gracious God, the words of Jesus speak to us so directly
on this
tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Peter’s
question, “How often should I forgive?”  reflects just how
difficult the
act of forgiving can be...he reminds us that it may be a long
process for
healing to take place. 
We pray for the healing of the wounds inflicted on
that day.
Comfort those who mourn.  We pray for the healing of the wounds
that led to the violence. 
Bring us to the place of forgiveness, to ground
zero in our hearts where
true forgiveness happens and where our hearts are
healed by loving kindness and filled with loving kindness for all. 
And if
we have ever wondered out loud, “Why would someone do such a thing
to us,”
lead us into truth and into confession of the ways in which we hurt
others,
the ways in which we exploit others, the ways in which we anger our

neighbors, and our brothers and sisters around the world. 
Instead of a
memorial to what was and to what was lost, could we be moved
by your Spirit
to find a new inclusive peace and to begin the work of building a
new world
that would honor you and our Lord, Jesus. 
Lord, we pray for your kingdom
to come on earth as it is in heaven. Let us lay down hate, and pride, and
vengeance, and greed and fear; all things that divide us.  Let us take up love,
and humility, and compassion, and generosity and
trust and make every
effort to live in peace.  Comfort us, for we all to some degree grieve the pain,
the loss and the breach of trust that has brought to our
attention our
vulnerability and less than noble standing of our nation within the world
community.  In faith we seek the strength of your presence to face truth and be
reconciled.  We pray your grace in Jesus’name.
Amen.

"I
would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living."  Psalm 27:14
 


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