Hymns and Prayers for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
A prayer of remembrance and healing
Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins
General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Ever-present God,
We give you thanks that you are ever near.
Today as we remember those lost to us 10 years ago on that day we now call 9/11, we give thanks that you do not lose your own.
Memories come to us, O God - where we were; what loved one we needed to place. Horror at the brazenness of it; sorrow at the loss of life.
There is still so much we do not understand.
And yet we know that each one lost to us is found in your embrace. For this we praise you.
Other memories come: awe at the courage of first responders; the rallying cries of friendship from around the globe; our own love of this nation we call home; the desire of so many to connect in worshiping community with you.
Even now, dear God, may we continue to seek you - knowing that you are ever near. Strengthen us to be the evidence that you are near. Help us to build on the courage of that day; on the love and friendship and faith. Mold us into your ambassadors for healing and wholeness and hope.
Come near through us we pray in Jesus' name,
Amen.
Remembering 9/11
Astana, Kazakhstan, September 11, 2006
The following prayer was offered by the Rev. Michael Livingston, president of the National Council of Churches USA, at an interfaith gathering at the US Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event was hosted by the US Ambassador to Kazakhstan.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, creator of our entire world, in whose image we are all fearfully and wonderfully made: Accept our thanks for the gift of life and inspire us to demonstrate our gratitude with renewed energy and dedication; in acts of solidarity, justice and grace that reflect your steadfast love for all, especially the least among us.
We gather on the occasion of the anniversary of a fateful day in the recent history of the world. We mourn, again, the sudden loss of so many lives on September 11, 2001 and the traumatic effect of those losses on their loved ones and a nation unfamiliar within its borders, with the terror of so misguided an act of barbarity against innocent individuals in the course of an ordinary day. Loving God, continue to bring healing and wholeness to all those whose lives were forever changed that awful day.
God of history, even as we remember the death and deep pain inflicted by such desperate acts, we acknowledge our own participation in a world community that has failed to accept and celebrate our common humanity. We fail one another: when one child goes hungry anywhere in the world, when one person is persecuted for adherence to a particular religion or no religion at all, when preventable diseases cause one unnecessary death, when air and water are polluted or exploited for economic gain.
Merciful God, we are none of us innocent. And if we share responsibility for the harm we have done to one another in the past—sometimes in the name of religion—then surely we share responsibility for our common future. Help us ) God, to resolve to know one another, as you know us; to accept one another, as you accept us, to love one another, as you love us.
Let the memory of 9/11 move us to build a world of justice without exploitation; of peace without violence; of joy at the sheer wonder of life on this beautiful planet; of community that celebrates the great diversity that is our divine gift.
God of signs and wonders, move among us as a healing spirit, binding our wounds, forgiving us our debts, reconciling our differences. One world, one God of many names, hear our prayer. Amen
September 2011 Prayer
from the Education and Leadership Ministries Commission, National Council of Churches USA
"In this month of remembering, restoring, and new beginnings, we are grateful for a prayer of hope and grace offered by Rev. David Burroughs, president of Passport, Inc that partners with the Ecumenical Youth Staff Ministries Team."
Great God of everything and everyone and everywhere,
We are nervous today. In fact, some of us are scared. These are difficult days, with pain and suffering around our globe, and in our city and on our street. We pause to remember those who are suffering today. We pause to reflect on the situations that we know about where your grace needs to be shared. And we wonder how to be a holy conduit for that grace. Help us to feel your answer in our bones, and to respond as we can.
We are hopeful today. In fact, some of us are downright joyful. There are weddings on our calendars that make us smile.There are babies that have come into our family who remind us that life is both beautiful and fragile. There are days that we mark with celebration – birthdays, anniversaries, new semesters – and we drink deep in these as they bring us hope.
We are grateful today. We are humbled by the ways that we see evidence of your grace all around us. We experience it even as we breathe in… and out… right now. We see your hand in each moment of our day so far, and we know that you are working for good in every situation. We can name many of them… right now.
We are confessional today. We have failed to act, and have acted when we shouldn’t. We pause to lay all this before you… And we are quietly confident in your steady forgiveness.
Finally, we are inspired today. In fact, some of us are on the edge of life-changing decisions. We seek your clear calling in our next steps. Make us fully awake and aware so that we don’t walk right by the person, situation or opportunity that has your Holy touch.
Great motivator, and gracious Savior, we express what is on our hearts, mindful that you already know what is in our hearts, which we need to speak to you.
We pray all these things in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer provided by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
"Day of Mourning O God, strength of those who believe in you, give comfort and clarity of vision to us in this time of need. Open our ears to hear your voice and obey your will; open our hearts that true justice and wisdom may abound; and open our hands that violent resolution of conflict may cease, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen."
Making Music in Christian Assembly on the Anniversary of 9-11
For musicians planning appropriate music for September 11, these readings and psalm provide many invitations to deep consideration and thought. Published by Mark Mummert, Director of Worship at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, who muses about topics related to music in Christian worship, particularly Lutheran (ELCA) worship, informed by the liturgy, the lectionary, and senstivity to the mission of the church in local contexts. Visit the Mummert's Musings on Music for materials.
A New Hymn for the Tenth Anniversary of September 11th
O God, Our Hearts Were Shattered
LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D (Lead On, O King Eternal)
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: Welsh Folk Melody, Evans' Hymnal a Thonau, 1865 as in English Hymnal, 1906.
Alternative Tune: PASSION CHORALE 7.6.7.6 D Hans Leo Hassler, 1601, Harmony by Johann Sebastian Bach, 1729
Text: Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Permission is given for use of this hymn for local church use.
Another New Hymn for the First Anniversary of September 11th
God, We've Known Such Grief and Anger
IN BABILONE 8.7.8.7 D (There's a Wideness in God's Mercy)
God, we've known such grief and anger
As we've heard your people cry.
We have asked you, "How much longer?"
We have sadly wondered, "Why?"
In this world of so much suffering,
May we hear your word anew:
"I will never leave you orphaned;
I will not abandon you."
By your grace comes resurrection;
By your love, you cast out fear.
You give strength and sure direction
As we seek to serve you here.
You give comfort to the grieving,
And you bless the ones who mourn.
May we trust in you, believing
Out of chaos, hope is born.
Hope is ours for, God, you love us!
You have claimed us by your grace.
And through Jesus, you have called us
To bring hope to every place.
In each rescue worker's caring,
In each faithful volunteer,
In each Christian's love and sharing,
God, we glimpse your kingdom here.
Biblical Texts: Psalm 13:1-2, John 14:18, I John 4:7, 8, 18.
Tune: Dutch melody, arr. by Julius Rontgen (1855-1933)
Text: Copyright © 2002 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Permission is given for use of this hymn for local church use.
Copied from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009).
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette 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. "God, We've Known Such Grief and Anger" was commissioned by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for the first anniversary of 9/11. "O God, Our Hearts Were Shattered" was written for the tenth anniversary, Sunday, September 11, 2011. Gillette is the author of Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Discipleship Resources/Upper Room Books, 2009) and Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press, 2000) and the co-pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. A complete list of her 160+ hymns can be found at www.carolynshymns.com.
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