A Prayer on 9/11

In honor of those who died on 9/11 and in the unjust wars that followed

Dear Loving God,  

My heart breaks for all those who lost a loved one on 9/11. It’s been 22 years of missed holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays. My heart breaks for the children who lost their parents that day and who 22 years later, still grapple with the hole in their lives. Many of these children have or are graduating college, getting married, having children, and are doing so without the caring advice and loving hugs of their parents. 

 I grieve with the families of the children whose lives were snuffed out before they began.  Christine Lee Hanson, 2 and half years ol.d and Juliana McCourt, four years old were excited about going to Disneyland. 8-year-old Zoe Falkenberg, and her 3-year-old sister, Dana Falkenberg were eagerly anticipating their move to Australia with their parents.  3 year-old David Reed Gamboa Brandhorst and his dads were returning to their home in Los Angeles after a vacation in Cape Code. Bernard C. Brown II, Asia S. Cottom, and Rodney Dickens, all three were 11 years old and in sixth grade. They were selected to attend a National Geographic conference.

I mourn with the families of first responders. Their loved ones died heroes, risking their lives to save those injured and hurt. Yet knowing they were heroes does not lessen the pain and grief.  

I pray for comfort and healing for the survivors who grapple with the aftereffects of the toxic dust and smoke they breathed in, who struggle with survivor’s guilt and PTSD, who wonder why they survived and their partners, siblings, colleagues, and best friend did not.  

I honor and remember all those lost on 9/11. 

And in addition to those killed on 9/11, I also mourn the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi and Afghan civilians killed in the wars that politicians waged, in the guise of “justice.” War never brings justice, it simply multiplies the pain and destruction.

I pray for the thousands of Iraqi and Afghan children murdered by US drones and bullets. My heart breaks for the families whose lives were destroyed and bodies broken in the name of a “just war.” Where is their justice? Where are the tears and remembrances honoring the innocent Iraqi and Afghan civilians, who through no fault of their own were rendered to be guilty for actions they did not support or engage in?  

God, you are a God who despises violence and war. You reject the idea that people can show their love for you by hating their neighbors and killing them. You tell us we can love you and love our neighbors, but we cannot love you and murder our neighbors. You call us to advocate for a just and equitable world, where no one has to fear a terrorist attack or the bombs of war.  

You mourn with those who mourn: from those who lost their loved ones 22 years ago on this horrific day, to those who lost their loved ones in the “War on Terror.” 

I pray that as we in the US remember and honor those who died on 9/11, that we also remember those who died in the wars carried out on our behalf. I pray that we remember that the civilians killed in the “War on Terror” were beloved children of God, worthy of safety and protection. I pray that even as we affirm, “never forget” about the tragedy of 9/11, that we also listen to the stories of those victimized by the wars started by our politicians. Their suffering and pain, also deserve to be remembered. 

I pray God, that our ears, eyes, and hearts are opened to your love, and that we reject any and all calls for violence and hatred.  

In Jesus’ name,  

Amen.  

Image: candles in the dark. Text: I pray that as we in the US remember and honor those that died on 9/11, that we also remember those who died in the wars carried out on our behalf.