Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Almighty God, Lord of all compassion, We remember the terrible events of this day in America 25 years ago.
We are reminded we live in a broken and grievously divided world, where some are bent on terror and destruction. We will “Never Forget” that day when planes speared into the twin towers in New York, that later collapsed in dust and fire to rubble; another hit the Pentagon, and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania because brave men fought to stop it reaching its target. In a world where some are willing to die in the name of their religion, killing and maiming thousands of innocent people, we struggle to understand and combat terrorism as the hatred continues.
As Jesus commanded, we pray for our enemies; for an end to the hatred, the wrong teaching and beliefs, and the recruiting of suicide bombers, some no more than children. We are reminded of that day in 2001 when 2,977 were murdered and other atrocities that have happened around the world since where innocent people have been killed. We remember the personnel who served at Ground Zero and those who fled the scene who now deal with physical ailments from exposure to toxic elements with deaths numbering almost 10,000 - 5,892 from cancer alone.
We pray for the children left orphaned, for spouses losing their partners, for bereaved parents, for people still suffering from injuries and terrible memories. We pray for those who work to relieve and heal the suffering. We thank you for our law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel.
We thank you for our Armed Forces who serve around the world, some in harm’s way as 7,074 American service members have given their lives for liberty since 9-11. We pray for the families of all of these servants who bear the burden of their loved ones working many times in dangerous conditions. We lift up our president, Congress, Supreme Court, state and local leaders they may seek your face for wisdom to lead us in these perilous times. We pray for repentance and restoration, first in the church and then in this nation to esteem the time honored values and foundation of the Bible. Pour your Spirit upon us to enable us and all your people to work for justice and true peacemaking,
In the name of Jesus Christ, King of Peace and Lord of Lords - Amen.
Ken Locke is the retired corps administrator of The Salvation Army in Warsaw and director of the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association. Have ideas for this column? Go to www.gwma.info.
