"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, guide, we beseech you, the nations of the world into the ways of justice and truth and establish among them the peace which is the fruit of righteousness. Temper the pride of victors by the knowledge that your judgment is meant for victors and vanquished. Transfigure the despair of the vanquished into hope, and let not the pride of the victors obscure the mercy of the judge before whom they will be judged. Bind us together, victors and vanquished, uneasy partners and former enemies, into a new community and thus make the wrath of man to praise you."
Reinhold Niebuhr 1892-1971
The Essential Rinehold Neibuhr, pg.73-4

"In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945
Letters and Papers From Prison, pg. 139

Prayer of a Soldier in France
"My shoulders ache beneath the pack
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back.)
I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart.)
Men shout at me who may not speak
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek.)
I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.
(then shall my fickle soul forget
Thy Agony of Bloody Sweat?)
My rifle hand is stiff and numb
(From Thy pierced palm red rivers come.)
Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.
So, let me render back again
This millionth of Thy gift. Amen."
Joyce Kilmer 1886-1918
(died on the battlefield in World War I)

"Give us a pure heart that we may see you,
A humble heart that we may hear you,
A heart of love that we may serve you,
A heart of faith that we may abide in you."
Dag Hammarskjold 1905-1961
Secretary General of the United Nations

September mornings, once the herald of change's promise… a new school year… the hope of harvest… the end of summer's heat and haze, have taken on a darker role as harbinger of cataclysmic change. How could such blue skies be the source of storms of fiery hatred? How could those skies be obliterated by clouds rising from the earth? How could the zealous fury of only nineteen people make all the homes of our nation reel?
Our prayers on this day are for families whose lives have been forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001. For people who had relatives and friends killed that day. For people who will go through life with physical and emotional scars from the fire and falling debris. For people who gave their lives in serving their neighbors. For solders who in the last two years have been exposed to the horrors of war, and who have been educated in the loneliness of separation.
Our prayers are for our nation, which can never be the same. Our illusion of invulnerability has been shattered… keep us from lashing out against any individuals and nations which we perceive to be a threat. As each anniversary passes help us to learn lessons of our shared humanity with all others on the face of this earth. While there is no sorrow like our sorrow, may we also know that all other people can make the same claim. Help us to find ways to live with humility and care in this Your world. Amen.

For Peace

In these our days so perilous,
Lord, Peace in mercy send us;
No God but thee can fight for us,
No God but thee defend us;
Thou our only God and Savior.
Martin Luther 1483 - 1546

You awaken us to delight in your praises; for you made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it reposes in you.
St. Augustine of Hippo 354-430