Prayer Service on the Anniversary of September 11
Photo from Photos.comAll gather and sing an opening song, such as Amazing Grace. After the sign of the cross, the leader continues:
Leader:
We gather to remember September 11, 2001,
and all who died that day
and each day these last ten years because of those attacks.
Let us pray for justice, healing, and peace for all who still suffer
from violence, discrimination, and offenses against human dignity.
We ask God, merciful and just, to grant us peace
and to strengthen us to share that peace with others.
Let us listen to the words of the Prophet Micah.
A reader proclaims Micah 4:1-3, or another reading.
A psalm may follow. (Such as Psalm 91)
Leader:
Let us lift our prayers for our world to God who instructs us in his ways.
A reader leads the following intercessions.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
For all who died that day;
for their eternal rest in the loving arms of the Father.
We pray to the Lord.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted:
For all who continue to grieve
and are saddened in this time of remembrance.
We pray to the Lord.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy:
For continued efforts at reconciliation and healing;
for God’s mercy upon all who do violence.
We pray to the Lord.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God:
for our religious, national, and world leaders;
for wisdom to prevent even more death.
We pray to the Lord.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied:
For our local church;
for strength to be models of peace for our communities.
We pray to the Lord.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:
For the eradication of hatred and discrimination
in our words and actions.
We pray to the Lord.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land:
For all who are sick and suffering,
especially for those we now name (pause).
We pray to the Lord.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God:
For family and friends who have died,
especially for those we now name (pause).
We pray to the Lord.
All pray the Lord’s Prayer. Then, the leader concludes:
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
All: Who made heaven and earth.
Leader: Blessed be the name of the Lord,
All: Now and for ever. Amen.
All may share a sign of peace.
Diana Macalintal is the director of worship for the San José, California, diocese and holds an MA in theology from Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Contact her through her blog: dsjliturgy.blogspot.com.
