15th Anniversary Prayer for 9/11 - a Litany

Lord,

15 years ago life in America was turned upside down, as 2,976 people from 93 nations lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon, and on Flight 93, due to terrorist attacks. We remember hearing the news and watching in disbelief as planes crashed, people jumped from buildings, the Twin Towers collapsed, and rescue efforts were made.

We pray for those who lost family members and friends and all who were left scarred by the events of that evil day.

All - God of comfort, let Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness be known.

We pray for the survivors who are left traumatized by the events of that evil day.

All - God of healing, let Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness be known.

We pray for those holding bitterness and resentment because of the events of that evil day.

All - God of forgiveness, let Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness be known.

We pray for our world that faces the very real threat of terrorism on a daily basis.

All - God of peace, let Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness be known.

Though the world is dark, You are pure Light; we do not despair.

All - God of hope, let Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness be known.

Lord, 

though we are thankful for our own country and know You have blessed this land of ours, we look around and see much injustice, violence, poverty, hunger, homelessness, addiction, abuse, human trafficking, and so many other things that fall far short of Your ideal.

All - Lord, we look to You. Have mercy on America.

There is so much turmoil: we are unsettled, we are divided, we are frustrated, we are uncertain, we are confused about so many things.

All - Lord, we look to You. Have mercy on America.

We see so much corruption in government and the political process, yet You call us to pray for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. And that to do so is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. (1 Timothy 2:2,3)

All - Lord, we look to You. Have mercy on America.

As the presidential election approaches, it seems fitting that our heart's cry would be...

All - Lord, we look to You. Have mercy on America.

Lord,

we pray for Your church in America, that you would wake us out of complacency and compromise.

All - Stir our hearts and revive us,

O Lord.

May we have a heart for people, may we see them through Your eyes, may we love as You love.
All - Stir our hearts and revive us,

O Lord.

May we live for the things that matter, seek the things of Your Kingdom, and stand for what is right and true in Your eyes.
All - Stir our hearts and revive us,

O Lord.

May we who are called by Your name, humble ourselves and pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways.

All - O Lord, hear us from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

God of all creation, Author of all that is good, Savior, Redeemer, to You we give our thanks and praise, to You we offer our prayers on this day of remembrance.

All - All Glory and honor be yours,O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.