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September 11: Prayer Service for Families Coping with the Tragedy
A prayer service developed by Leif Kehrwald.
Gathering
Come together as a family. Set aside time for reflection and discussion. Turn off the news for a few moments. Gather together in a circle. Join hands if you wish. Take a moment of silence.
Someone may want to say something like this:
“This is a time we need to connect with loved ones. This is a time we need community. This is a time we need to pray, talk, share our hearts, cry, listen, and grieve.”
Sharing
Invite each family member to share their thoughts and their feelings. Make sure everyone gets a turn to talk, but anyone can “pass” if desired.
As your family gathers to discuss these tragic events, keep in mind the following:
Each person is entitled to his or her own feelings--from deep despair to indifference.
Each person is entitled to share those feelings.
Each person is called to be a good listener.
Praying
After everyone has had a chance to share, say, “Let us pray together as a family.”
Scripture
“Coming within sight of the city, he wept over it and said: ’If only you had known the path to peace this day.’” (Luke 19:41-42)
Prayers from teenagers
“God,
We pray for ourselves, growing up in an unsteady and confusing world.
Show us that following you is better than chasing after our selfish goals.
Help us to take failure not as an end but as a new start.
Give us strength to hold our faith in you, and to keep alive our joy in your creation.
Amen.”
(Gabe Estes, Blanchet School, Salem, OR, from Life Can Be a Wild Ride, p. 72)
“Dear God, help me live a peaceful life. Guide me to continue to blossom as a peacemaker. Help me realize the pain and suffering of others so I may do whatever is needed to be done, to help bring peace to others. Open my eyes to all of the injustices on earth. There are times when I try not to notice suffering because I don’t want to recognize all of the people who live in poverty, in fear, and in loneliness. Open my eyes to the cry of all people who have not found peace within themselves. It is they who are in most need of your love.
I am your humble servant, God. Help me to follow Christ’s footsteps so that I, too, may do your will. Amen.”
(Luis Sanchez, Saint Sebastian School, Santa Paula, CA, from Life Can Be a Wild Ride, p. 75)
Allow time for family members to voice their prayers.
Closing
God, thank you for being with us in our time of confusion and sorrow. We are confident you remain present to all those whose suffering is beyond our comprehension as a result of this tragedy. Please bless them with comfort and support. Amen.
Living
How might your family respond with help and assistance? There will surely be many, many people who will need much help and support in the coming weeks. Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and make contributions.
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