Patriot Day is observed every Sept. 11 to mark the anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States. As we work for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, let us make this a time for hope in God’s grace, in ourselves and in one another.
Gathering Prayer
O Lord God, our heavenly Father, regard, we pray, with your divine pity, the pains of all your children. As we remember the horrifying events of September 11, 2001, hold us in the shelter of your enduring love. Grant that the passion of our Lord and his infinite love may make fruitful for good the tribulations of the innocent, the sufferings of the rescuers and the sorrows of the bereaved. We ask this in the name of your son and our brother, who suffered and died for the sake of all people. Amen.
Scripture Reading
Philippians 4: 6-9
Psalm 91
(Recite alternating sides)
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
Who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God in whom I trust.”
For he will rescue you from the snare of the fowler,
From the destroying pestilence
With his pinions he will cover you and
Under his wings you shall take refuge;
His faithfulness is a buckler and a shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Not the pestilence that roams in darkness,Nor the devastating plague at noon,
Though a thousand fall at your side,
Ten thousand at your right hand,
Near you it shall not come.
Rather with your eyes shall you behold
And see the requital of the wicked
Because you have the Lord for your refuge;
You have made the Most High your stronghold.
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall affliction come near your tent,
For to his angels he has given command about you,
That they guard you in all your ways.
Upon their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the asp and the viper,
You shall trample down the lion and the dragon.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify him;
With length of days I will gratify him,
And will show him my salvation.
Glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Litany of Forgiveness
Father, lead us to forgiveness. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Help us to forgive and to be forgiven for human failures and sins.
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class
Father forgive.
The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own.
Father forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands.
Father forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others.
Father forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee.
Father forgive.
The pride which leads to trust in ourselves and not in God.
Father forgive.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
We pray together…
O, Lord, remember us in our desire to live out your purpose for us in creation. Fill us with comradeship, loyalty, humility, courage, generosity and greatness of heart which grow out of suffering. May we bring peace to others of all races and faiths and in that action find peace for ourselves. Give us peace in our time, O Lord, we pray. Amen.