Nineteen years ago I had finished university and was on holiday with my Grandparents for a few weeks before I started working in IT. I was with my Grandad in his workshop when his next-door neighbour came over to say that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. We all gathered around the television to watch in horror the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
The world changed that day.
The then Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold, wrote about how we should respond as followers of Christ:
“...Yes, those responsible must be found and punished for their evil and disregard for human life, but through the heart of this violence we are called to another way. May our response be to engage with all our hearts and minds and strength in God's project of transforming the world into a garden, a place of peace where swords can become plowshares and spears are changed into pruning hooks.”
As we remember those who died, let us pray for our cities and communities and recommit ourselves to “God’s project of transforming the world” as we walk in Jesus’ Way of Love.
Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, the cities of the earth. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfilment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God bless
Tom +
