Eternal God, Source of Life and Blessing for all Creation:
Ten years ago we called to you from out of the depths;
Today we turn to you for courage, strength and wisdom.
• Shelter in peace those souls lost on September eleventh and give comfort to those whose hearts still ache; the parents, spouses, siblings, children and friends who keep their loved ones’ memories alive as a precious legacy.
• Honor and protect the public servants who responded on September 11th and the days and weeks and months that followed, and who continue to risk their safety for the common good. And bring healing to those first, second, and third responders whose service at ground zero continues to take a physical, emotional and spiritual toll.
• Grant us a heart of wisdom, that we may recognize the divine image in every human being. May that wisdom lead us to act toward one another not with anger or prejudice, but with compassion and care.
• Strengthen the hands of those who defend our country and inspire our governmental leaders to be pursuers of peace. In turn, we offer our prayers for our country and its government, our soldiers and citizens, for all who faithfully serve our nation.
• May the melodies and words we offer today come to be a prayer for peace, that we might live to see the day when swords will be made into ploughshares and nations will not learn war anymore. And together we say: Amen.
Rabbi David B. Cohen
Congregation Sinai
Fox Point, Wisconsin
September 11, 2011
