09/11/2026
We pause today to remember the lives lost and those forever impacted.
A prayer from Rev. Lisa Degrenia (https://revlisad.com/):
We come together with people all over the world to remember the day our world changed. We come together in faith, in hope, in God’s infinite love.
Gracious and Merciful God, we commend to your mercy and grace all who died in the 9/11 attacks and all who have died while laboring to end terrorism.
- In New York City: 2,342 persons
- In Arlington, Virginia: 184 persons
- In Shanksville, Pennsylvania: 40 persons
- 411 New York City rescue workers that day, plus so many more from the aftereffects
- Thousands of military personnel and civilians in the following years of war
Over 70 countries lost loved ones that day: family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, heroes. In the face of all this loss, we claim your grace, your faithfulness, and your power to bring good out of evil.
Compassionate One, it’s been twenty-five years, yet the harm continues. Comfort all who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones. Come with assurance and peace for all who remain traumatized, anxious, or fearful for the future. Come with protection and freedom for all who continue to live in the midst of hostility and oppression.
Bring wholeness and hope to every broken place- to broken bodies, broken hearts, and broken spirits. To broken relationships, broken systems, and broken faith.
Draw together leaders of every nation. Give them ears to hear your wisdom and the courage to respond. Inspire them to work together for peace, justice, and freedom. Inspire us, too.
Strengthen all who risk their lives to protect others. Guard and favor all who work to make your world a place of peace. Guard and guide us, too.
God of the Nations, hear our prayer for our enemies and for ourselves. Help us love and pray for those who profit from hate and destruction. Help us stop the injustice. We claim your abiding, your humility, and your strength as we strive to fulfill this call.
Save us from revenge, false teaching, and blind suspicion. Help us recognize our contributions to conflict. Help us understand the hurt that feeds the hate.
Change the hearts of all who seek their way by evil and violent means, by coercion and corruption and privilege, including our own. Create in us clean hearts that beat with your unconditional compassion.
Leave no one in the shadows of evil and death, O God. Fill us all with your light and make us all instruments of your peace.
Offer your own prayers for peace and goodwill
Our world remains a dangerous place, O God, but with you there is shalom and hope. With you there is persevering and purpose. You are our Rock, our Shield, our Defender forever.
Blessed be your Name. Amen.
(Prayer for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 © 2011 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia and Nicole Sallee, updated 2026)
