Liturgical Resources for the Anniversary of 9/11/01
A Proper for September 11, 2002
Almighty God, you have brought us to this day through a year of suffering and conflict: Renew in us a thirst for the justice which flows from your compassion, and strengthen us to turn the voice of mourning to the proclamation of your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Jeremiah 42:7-12
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Gospel Acclamation: Psalm 25:1-4,15-20
Prayers of the People
In time of National Crisis and Threat of War
Based on Form II, The Book of Common Prayer, page 385
In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world; for our Bishop [Mark, for Catherine his Suffragan and Don his Assistant; for _________]; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people: that they may witness to the love of God. Pray for the Church.
Silence
I ask your prayers for peace in the midst of conflict; for goodwill among nations in the midst of growing fear, distrust and hatred; and for the well-being of all people, in the midst of threats to life and health. Pray for justice and peace.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the leaders of the nation, for the leaders of the world, and for all whose lives will be forever changed by their decisions and actions. Pray for the world.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison; for those injured, maimed or wounded in the horror of our current conflict. Pray for those in any need or trouble. [We pray especially for ______________.]
Silence
I ask your prayers for all who seek God, for all who question God, for all who doubt God, for all who are moved to ask God, "Why?" Pray that they may find and be found by God.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the departed; for those who have died in peace, and those whose lives have been taken by violence. Pray for all who have died. [We pray especially for ______________ .]
Silence
[I ask your prayers for_________________.
Silence]
I ask your thanksgiving for all those who risk their lives to save others, to recover and heal the wounded, and to find and bury the dead. Give thanks for their great hearts and generous spirits.
Silence
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored:
the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who have suffered for the sake of Christ [especially _____________]. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Silence
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
O God, you are the source of all wisdom, justice, love and peace: Give us in our present conflict the gleanings of your wisdom, the courage of your justice, the patience of your love, and the assurance of your peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
or the following may be used
Litany of Penitence and Thanksgiving
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 Leader of Prayer begins,
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:
Leader: Look with compassion upon the whole human family,
People: When we fail to treat each other with the dignity your children merit.
Leader: Free us from all arrogance and hatred,
People: That our hearts and hands may be made clean in your sight.
Leader: Break down the walls we build to separate and divide us,
People: For without your help we perish in our isolation and division.
Leader: Forgive us our faults and sins, our hasty judgments and our rash presumption,
People: For you alone are judge, and know the secret faults of every person.
Leader: Unite us in the bonds of love,
People: That we may truly be your children.
Leader: Comfort us in the loss of those we love and cherish,
People: For you seek and find the lost, and preserve them in your care.
Leader: Enlighten us in our confusion and distress,
People: That we may do your will in peace and harmony.
The Leader continues,
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.
Leader: We thank you for inspired hearts and helping hands,
People: For all who work to recover and rebuild.
Leader: We thank you for the skill and care of those who heal the wounded,
and comfort those who mourn,
People: Give them strength and courage in their task.
Leader: We thank you for the leaders [of our city,] of our nation, and our
world,
People: Give them the wisdom and patience to choose your path.
Leader: We thank you for all who seek the truth, who love justice and mercy,
and who walk in your ways,
People: Give them the humbleness of spirit to love and serve you always.
Leader: We thank you for the knowledge of your continued presence with us.
People: For you will not leave us comfortless.
Leader: You are the God who works wonders,
People: In you only is our trust.
The Leader concludes with this prayer
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.
A Hymn September 11, to the tune Melita, courtesy of Jerry Carroon of Connecticut (Back)