A Prayer for the Nation on September 11

On this sad anniversary, here's my "A Prayer for the Nation," first published in the Philadelphia Daily News on September 16, 2001:

While the bagpipes wail in mourning, oh Lord, awaken us from our stupor.

A monstrous evil made itself manifest by converting commercial airplanes bearing human cargo into weapons of destruction. May the blasts that rocked the towers and gave rise to a national river of tears help us to see clearly when the smoke settles.

As we remember the civilian martyrs who died never knowing they bore a cause and grieve with their families and friends, please shake us from our collective American apathy. Renew our respect for the fragility of life.

Remind us of the gifts of freedom we take for granted.

When we weep for fallen firefighters and police officers, release us from our indifference toward those who risk their lives in the line of duty. We need your assistance to recognize sacrifices made by bushels of decent public employees, sacrifices overlooked thanks to rotten behavior by a few bad apples.

Deliver us from cynicism.

While we lament lives lost at the Pentagon, raise our appreciation for the soldiers, sailors and aviators who now prepare for warfare against an illusive enemy. Help us to remember that Memorial Day for past patriots was not exactly a day at the beach, that the cost of war will not be a Veterans Day sale bargain. And God almighty, please keep our protectors safe.

Move us forward in our fight for justice.

May the sneering face of evil that jolted the spirit of America open our eyes to other sins that lurk below society's skin. As we fly our flags proudly, let our reawakened patriotism erase the evil of racism. This descendant of myths created to support the institution of slavery weakens our country's Constitution by dividing us. Let true unity arise from the ashes of tragedy.

Please do not allow our outrage to feed other fires of bigotry. Lead us not into the temptation to imitate our enemies by aiming anger at other innocent targets, Americans or immigrants of Middle Eastern descent. Let there be no discrimination in our compassion.

With hands over our hearts, help us to raise the principle, "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," from a pledge to a reality.

Let not the blood of the innocents and the tears of those left living be shed in vain.

And long after we bury our dead and memorialize the missing, Lord, let us never forget.

Amen