Prayer Circles

Grant me the strenght to help those in need. Let this event bring those families in despair closer together and work to bring hope to those in need.

As we take a moment to think about what has occured in the past week, we realize that the world has once again united. As we stand together in this devastating tradgedy, we realize that lives of thousands of innocent victims were stolen. As we take a minute each night to pray, we should thank God every time we do for what we have.
Dear God, it seems as if people blame you for what has happened, but we realize that the world was faced with an act of evil doings. We pray for the families and the people who each and everyday stretch out their arms to help search for those missing. We cannot give up for we should know that many will prosper from those lives that were taken. Life doesn't get worse, it only gets better. Continue to bless us with your great doings and let those who have been taken from our nation rest peacefully and let them realize that they are in our hearts each and everyday. The silence of their voices can only be heard louder as the United States continues to stand together as one and join hands to fight the deep hurts and pains that many are suffering from each and everyday. Thank You God and may you only shine light upon our lives from this day forward!

My prayers and condolences go out to the families and friends of loved ones lost and injured in the terrorist attack in NY and DC. May I offer my sympathy and empathy in this hour. My heart is with you. Citizens and trained personnel involved in the rescue and emergency services - thank you for your heroic efforts.

Watching these horrific events unravel before my eyes on September 11 only brought back painful memories of the loss of my aunt, Molly Hardy, who died three years ago in the Embassy bombing in Kenya.

One of the first questions I asked was: "What is the significance of this day--why September 11?" A friend said it was the anniversary of the Camp David Peace Accord, but I began to search my mind and heart further. Immediately I recalled that the day was Sept 11 (9-1-1) -how profound. Later I realized that it was exactly three years ago to that day that I sat among political and religious giants of this country as we observed the memorial service for the US Embassies bombing victims at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. How well I remember that day - not for the fact that so many dignitaries came to pay their respects to the families, nor that President Clinton spoke with great composure, conviction, and concern while all the time having to deal with his personal stresses associated with the Starr Report released earlier that day, nor that Jesse Jackson delivered a most eloquent and even spiritual sermon; no, it was the picture forever captured in my mind's eye as I tried to make the most of the day and keep my then 10-year-old son from succumbing to boredom.

Since the families arrived early for the service, there was time to explore the Cathedral. We walked outside briefly and then walked back in to the western corner of the cathedral. The sun was pouring through the stained glass windows. All of a sudden, my son's dull, but white, dress shirt absorbed all the beautiful colors from the stained glass. My son, who can be rather reserved, burst into a spontaneous dance twirling in the beautiful rainbow of colors. He became a living canvas. I thought it the most wonderful sight and such a joyous response. What a beautiful gift from the Creator.

This is how I choose to remember such tragedies as we are experiencing now in this country--impacted by horror, evil, outrageousness, devastation, anger, and hate--in all of it, there is a rainbow -a miracle that reminds us how precious is life and those who live it.

May we count our blessings. May God be merciful to us all.

HEAVEN IS NOT JUST BEYOND THE CLOUDS.
IT IS JUST BEYOND THE FEAR.

To Comfort You At This Time:

Faith--Knows God has answers for questions that seem impossible.

Hope--Holds on to the promise that no farewell is forever.

Love--Understands that it still hurts to say good-bye...

May God hold you in his arms and heal the sorrow that you feel.

Lord, we will never forget what happened that terrible day. Give us all strength to carry on, especially those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. Help us find peace. And most of all, I pray for an end to this war. Amen.