Prayers For 9/11

HuffPost Religion is proud to present this collection of original prayers, reflections and blessings written in honor of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Our hope is that these sacred words offered by leaders from diverse traditions might provide comfort to those who grieve; compassion to those alienated; and inspiration to all who seek an end to violence and hate in our world.

Peace.
Paul Brandeis Raushenbush
Senior Religion Editor, The Huffington Post

Comments

[Assumed Name]

06:56 PM on 10/01/2011

The good will behind these prayers and intentions demonstrates a better part of humanity.

[gungavin]

11:27 PM on 09/14/2011

I'm sorry, but this is going to sound very callous to many supposed patriots, but has anyone even considered that thousands of people in America died that day, and because they weren't involed in the WTC, were just people. Where's the money ( in the millions ) for them? These folks worked in high money ventures. I'm sorry, but I can't feel sorry for people who made more in a year, than I made in my whole lifetime. Gimme a break! Stop trying to turn a happenstance ( bin Laden wanted us out of Saudi Arabia ) into a religious event. I know this is gonna piss off a lot of so-called patriots, but I'm sorry, this is the way it is. These folks who died in other mishaps got no money, no recongnition etc.. Somebody had to say it. Gimme a break please.

[Assumed Name]

06:53 PM on 10/01/2011

...I'm not one to wear a three corn hat--not even on Halloween--but, yes, you do sound very callous.

[AveragePatriot]

11:07 AM on 09/13/2011

In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Christians are encouraged to live quietly:

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Is your Minister, Pastor or Priest living a quiet life, working with his hands and minding his own business?

[alterego55]

03:17 PM on 09/12/2011

All powerful FSM,

Please show us the error of our ways. Help us understand that our dogmatic interest in controlling a small plot of land in the desert and persecuting others because of our lust for oil are not honorably or spiritually appropriate, nor are they in the best interests of our country.

Ra'men.

[Ralph Henderson]

10:01 PM on 09/12/2011

Funny and accurate. Nice.

[Jelle NL]

08:40 AM on 09/12/2011

Some ask: "Why did God allow this to happen?" Answer: "I don't know". If we believe that God as our Creator it is simply IMPOSSIBLE to say something about God or God's motives. For our relation to our Creator is like that of a painting to an artist. How can "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" say something remotely meaningful about Jan Vermeer? -- When believers refer to God as the Almighty, or the Almerciful, they do not give a description (that can be proven right or wrong); they merely stress that our Creator is NOT like us. -- So to try to answer the question: "Why did God made the world to be a storehouse of afflictions, and not a villa of pleasures?", is like the Baron of Munchhausen attempting to rescue himself from a swamp by pulling his own hair.

[Djay0252]

09:36 AM on 09/12/2011

You could ask yourself the same question a million times to a million different situations but I believe nothing happens without a reason and this is no different. I will rest on that.

[Ralph Henderson]

03:00 PM on 09/12/2011

Those are the 2 words it comes down to, where discussion is irrelevant after a certain point...."I believe.".

[peter010908]

03:11 AM on 09/12/2011

God didnt protect america on 9/11, god hasnt protected the troops that have been killed so praying to a false god is a waste of breath.

[ligligl]

01:44 AM on 09/12/2011

Thank God I am an atheist...

[Ralph Henderson]

08:58 PM on 09/11/2011

I'm glad to have read these prayers. I'm hopeful for people who can sympathize with others and do the best they can to comfort and support them.
I fear after reading so many posts that these people are a tiny minority.

[peter010908]

08:51 PM on 09/11/2011

Where was your god on 9/11?

He either didnt care enough to to stop the attacks from happening or he was to impotent to do anything about it.

[Ralph Henderson]

03:03 PM on 09/12/2011

There are probably a million other "or" possibilities to consider. How can a reasoning mind say "it either he couldn't or he didn't care"? A parent with children will give you more possible reasons than that.

[peter010908]

07:25 PM on 09/12/2011

Once again an excuse for god. If god did prevent it there you'd be saying something like see theres proof of god, but since nothing was done you change your story to "How can a reasoning mind say "it either he couldn't or he didn't care"? "

If a parent know his children were about to be murders and didnt do anything to prevent that happening what sort of a parent would that be? Im sure you'd agree that person is not fit to be a parent and should have his children taken away from him.... thats the sort of father your god was on 9/11.

[dschiff]

11:53 AM on 09/13/2011

Go for it.
You're addressing arguments that date to Epicurus and coming up with 'theodicies'.

The argument:
1) Either god is unable to help millions of innocent, suffering children who die every year
2) Or he chooses not to

1) If so, he is impotent to the point of completely underming the truth of theism, prayer, worship, all the sacraments, etc.
2) If so, he is malevolent, and cares not for our prayers or our suffering, in which case, he is not worth praying to or even seeing as good.

We await your response.

[TYRANNASAURUS]

07:29 PM on 09/11/2011

Prayers for 9/11......

Mean nothing except to the pray-e who think they are in some magical way doing something to affect the situation that happened 10 years ago..now I ask you ..is that really rational behavior?

[Ralph Henderson]

08:26 PM on 09/11/2011

Of course. Seeking closure is the most rational behavior. Seeing others around the world sharing in hope and sympathy can bring us nearer to knowing we are all the same. Why would that be irrational? You are certain to entertain your own "magical" thoughts and hopes as a human being, so why try to bring a shadow over others?

[dschiff]

11:54 AM on 09/13/2011

You're right.
False comfort is still comfort.

It's also still false.

[Allan Richter]

05:37 PM on 09/11/2011

May God bless and protect The United States of America, may God cause his light to shine upon The United States of America and grant the people of this this land we all love peace.

[TheApeMan]

05:45 PM on 09/11/2011

Ugh.
"May God bless and protect the U.S.A"
umm...where was he on 9/11?

[JayBachand]

07:23 PM on 09/11/2011

Don't waste your time. There's nothing so firmly locked as the religious mind.

[peter010908]

03:11 AM on 09/12/2011

Dont expect an answer unless it's something rediculous, like he has a plan.

[peter010908]

03:13 AM on 09/12/2011

You keep right on preying, let me know when your prayers get answered.

[Ralph Henderson]

08:54 PM on 09/12/2011

"Preying" is what you are doing. Why?

[JayBachand]

01:50 PM on 09/11/2011

I woke this morning hoping - albeit very weakly - that HP or any other major progressive news source would have the word "IMAGINE" splashed across the headline. Not one single news source has the courage to use this national tragedy as an opportunity to begin a discussion on how religious causes 9/11's and other atrocities. Instead, they cater to and fawn over the religious powers in the world, ensuring that not only will we learn nothing from 9/11, but we're bound to see another one soon.

[Ralph Henderson]

08:36 PM on 09/11/2011

It wasn't so much a religious cause as it was an occupation of foreign territory against the wishes and in spite of the warnings of several militant groups. Religion isn't the main issue I see here.
And for today, remembering, grieving, and caring.

[dschiff]

11:56 AM on 09/13/2011

Thank you.

Even death, suffering are twisted to provide greater support for religion and un-evidenced religious ideas. If you doubt god's existence, it is a 'test' that only leads to you being a deeper believer.

These tautologies twist around logic. The relationship between religion and 9/11 is clear, and it's not about comfort.

[methodman]

12:49 PM on 09/11/2011

This is Absurd. There is not one computation that is the standard bearer for everyone. There are numerous discussions about dynamic systems. These are also able to extend awareness and sensitivity and dexterity. Evolution is looking at the advantages and disadvantages features and benefits of classes and enjoying the difference of why certain descriptions get categorized the way they are. Natural Selection is good for imagination building. Together with a good inspection system and a message heart runner system we have progress; And our conscious of our own panels.

[SoldAmerican]

10:50 AM on 09/11/2011

The christian doctrine not unlike Islam is always "Us vs Them". It's a confrontational non humanist ideology

[Ralph Henderson]

08:37 PM on 09/11/2011

Not the actual doctrine, but the majority of organized groups touting it's name.

[ligligl]

01:50 AM on 09/12/2011

Christianity is a fine religion - too bad it has never been practiced...

[genrel1248]

02:39 AM on 09/11/2011

May as well howl at the moon for all the good it does.

[dschiff]

11:58 AM on 09/13/2011

Many cultures have, in fact, done this.
The moon is a god or goddess in many religions.
Arma, Mawu, Coyolxauhqui.

[genrel1248]

08:18 PM on 09/14/2011

Gesundheit!

[Ralph Henderson]

02:15 AM on 09/15/2011

It always does me good to howl at the moon.