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West District Texas Conference Faith & Culture HymnSite Search the Bible
A PRAYER FOR 9/11 (TEN YEARS LATER)
Almighty God, the unfolding of the events of 9/11 come back to us, today, as if it happened only yesterday. Before that day, many of us had never seen such horrific terror. Many of us had never experienced our continent, our airports, our commerce, our communications and our government in such a quick and total state of lock down, alert and defense. The images do not leave us.
Not only our country, but our memories have been attacked and besieged. Fear and mourning gripped our nation on that day ten years ago, and that fear still lingers today. Even now, tears and anger flow as we grieve the loss of our sense of security in America. O God, in such a moment of shock, we hardly know what to pray. And yet we know, in You alone will we find hope, comfort and strength. Great God of steadfast love, have mercy upon us and heal us. We pray for the untold thousands who were injured and also for the families who still mourn their great loss.
We also lift up to You this day, all the national disasters we are currently experiencing. Be with the first responders who are diligently working to stop the fires in Texas, as well as, those working in the flooded areas of our nation. Be with the families, who have lost all their material possessions. Be among us, also, in our own fears and anxiety. Give comfort and support to our hearts and our souls.
Refresh and strengthen those who aid and those who lead. Thank you, dear God, for those who have heard and responded to your call to offer acts of generosity, kindness and heroism. God of love, God of truth, God of life, God of hope, You know our needs are great at this time. You know them better than we can even state them now. In Your mercy, hear our prayer. In your wisdom, grant us those things that will lead us forward to wholeness, love and peace again. In Your grace, bless us in this time with Your holy and life-giving presence. Through Your marvelous Power, we trust that You will deliver us and bring healing to our nation. All of this we pray in the name of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Rev. Paula Behrens)
A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Almighty Father, the psalmist wrote: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” (Psalm 33:12). And so we thank You for Your faithfulness in blessing our nation with Your Holy presence, as we have been seeking to be a faithful people to You. Thank You for surrounding America with Your favor, Your grace and Your mercy and also for the liberties we enjoy through the U.S. Constitution that is founded upon Christian values.
Heavenly Father, You said that what we commit to You, You will cause it to succeed; therefore we come committing our nation’s leaders and our economy to You, this day. As we lift President Obama and all of our nation’s leaders into Your Holy presence, we pray that they will not depend on their own understanding, but that they will seek Your guidance in all the decision making processes. Make clear to them which path You would have them to take in things pertaining to the health of our nation and to the glory of Your Kingdom. In regards to our economy, we ask that You will give our leaders the courage and wisdom to make godly decisions that will deliver our nation from economic doom. And if we, as Your people, should have to sacrifice a little for the future of our nation, help us to do that with dignity and strength and reliance upon You.
O God, You know that it is the desire of Your church that our nation would always confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And even though many may worship other god’s in this nation, we the Church, proclaim that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (the One whom Jesus’ calls Father) is the One and Only True God. And we trust that ultimately Your Kingdom will prevail. Thank You, Lord God, for our military personnel and our First Responders who sacrifice greatly to protect our nation. We pray that as they trust in You they will not be afraid. Let them take into their hearts the assurance that says: “If God is for us, who can be against us.”
Lord God, help those in our nation who are unemployed and those who need a financial breakthrough. Make clear to them opportunities for jobs, education and promotions. Finally, we lift up into Your presence those who have been affected by the floods, tornados, fires and drought in our nation. Through it all, help them and us to trust You and You alone, during these difficult times. Increase our confidence and remind us that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”
Thank You: Father, Son and Holy Spirit for being among us now, this day as we come together as Your church to pray for the health and well being of our nation. Bless us now, O God, as You hear our heart-felt petitions, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Rev. Paula Behrens)
