With the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks just a couple of days away, many of us are looking for prayers to use in church services or for personal remembrances. So I thought that I would share some of the most beautiful and helpful that I have found. This list is updated every year – check out the latest resource list here
Christine Longhurst at re Worship has collected a number of compelling prayers and litanies including this beautiful memorial . I highly recommend taking some time to read through all of them.
This prayer which I read on reWorship was originally posted on Engageworship.org a few days ago. It is designed to help congregations reflect on their memories, and centre around God and how he meets us in tragedy. There is a PowerPoint you can download, or you could just print the words in a service booklet.
Here is another beautiful litany from the national Council of Churches USA
I was really touched by this collection of prayers from Huffington post from Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist perspectives
And an almost overwhelming but great collection of resources of all kinds for 9/11 Anniversary from textweek.com
And finally my own prayer for the day:
May all of us remember with love and compassion this day.
May we grieve with those who still mourn,
And share memories with those who cannot forget.
May we draw strength from those who bravely responded,
And gave their lives to save others.
May we stand with strangers who became neighbours that day,
And remember their generosity and hospitality.
Above all God may we remember your faithfulness
And learn to trust in your unfailing love
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Jeremiah 8:18 NIV
[18] You who are my comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.
Most gracious and loving God, I pray for the souls of all those lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For the families and loved ones of those who lost their earthly lives on that day, I pray you will soothe and comfort their emotions as they remember with fondness and sorrow the memories they shared. I rejoice in the firefighters’ courage, the EMS responders, the police, and all the other emergency responders — especially those who lost their lives responding to this tragedy. I praise you for their incredible bravery. May we never forget their sacrifice and the families and loved ones they left behind. Lord, why this tragedy had to happen is beyond human comprehension. But I do believe that amid this horrifying day, the hand of your grace was upon them. You are a God of love! Through your hands, you deliver your children from the fires of Satan and the perpetrators of the evil one. For those that have accepted you as Lord of their lives, fire and brimstone cannot keep them from eternal life with you. For those that did not know you, I pray an intercessory prayer that you welcomed them into your kingdom. You are a God of grace, forgiveness, and great mercy. Thank you, Lord, for this day of remembrance. Thank you for your enduring love and comforting words. As America pauses to celebrate the lives of all those lost on this day of sadness, I thank you for the hedge of protection you continue to provide. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, let your love and grace continue to soothe and comfort the hearts of those who perished on this day? In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.