September 11 is a day of remembrance. A day when we reflect on the tragedy experienced by our nation ten years ago. On that day, we lost many of our fellow citizens, our first responder heroes, and our illusions of domestic safety. It was a day of great sorrow and confusion, as we questioned the realities of our world.
From this tragedy has come, among other things, stories of courage, perseverance and triumph over adversity. Unfortunately, stories have also arisen of prejudice, bias, and hate. The events of that day rekindled in many the unspoken, but long held belief, that enemies of our country are also enemies of You, and therefore need not be treated with the same love, compassion and respect as those we consider “our own.”
Lord God, we ask for the courage to live our lives in ways that honor You. We live in a global world. I pray that we would each commit ourselves to being deliberate in building neighborhoods, states, and countries that foster understanding, respect, and reconciliation. Peace does not happen because nations declare it. Peace happens because individuals choose it.
May we choose to live as instruments of Your peace. Amen.
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