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In lugnet.general, Matthew Gerber writes:
> To my friends at LUGNET,
>
> The United States, and the rest of the world by way of sympathy, have
> suffered greatly this week. Here in our own little microcosm of the world,
> we have shared news of tradgedy and sorrow, stories of hope and survival,
> and words of thought and anger. All of this is to be expected at such a
> time, and with understanding, it is my hope that all words of anger and
> strife will be forgiven in these troubled times.
>
> I personally apologize for any feelings I may have hurt, and beg the
> understanding of those I may have offended...please know that, along with
> you, I am hurting, but I am sorry.
>
> President Bush has declared today a National Day of Prayer. While this
> doesn't necessarily help everyone, I will offer my prayer here, for want of
> an actual workplace or co-workers to share with. Please, feel free to take a
> moment to reflect on the events of this week, and the troubled times we
> likely have ahead of us...not just America, but for the entire world. And if
> it is your desire, please also offer a prayer, either mine below, or one of
> your own, that survivors might yet be found, that families might cope, and
> that the government of the United States, and our allies, might take
> rational courses of action in the hope that a tradgedy of this magnatude
> need not happen ever again.
>
> The President's proclimation follows:
> ________________________________________________________
>
> NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
> America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
> laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 14, 2001, as
> a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist
> Attacks on September 11, 2001. I ask that the people of the United States
> and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and Remembrance with
> noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at that hour, and evening
> candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage employers to permit their
> workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to
> pray for our land. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to
> join us in these solemn observances.
>
> IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
> September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence
> of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
>
> GEORGE W. BUSH
> ________________________________________________________
>
> This is my prayer:
>
> Dear Lord God, savior of souls and path of peace,
>
> I ask Your blessings for those who were touched by the tragedy in New York
> and Washington D.C. this week. Please, be with those suffering the pain and
> loss of spouses, fathers, mothers, children, family and friends. Please lend
> Your everlasting comfort to those whose losses seem to great to comprehend.
> Please guide the leaders of the world, as they struggle to cope with the
> daunting task of leading their people on the right path.
>
> I know we humans suffer daily, and many times that suffering is
> self-inflicted, either psychologically, physically or emotionally, but we
> poor beings have much trouble comprehending the scope of tragedy like we
> have experienced this week. Some find no comfort in You at times like
> these...and very often ask You why You would allow this sort of thing to
> happen. In my belief, You have set our feet on the path of life, and the
> death we cause our fellows is the inevitable effect of being sinful humans.
> I pray that all peoples can someday return to the path of life, in order to
> uphold each other in brotherhood and fellowship, and uplift You in name and
> glory.
>
> I thank You for Your forgiveness, as won for me by the death of Your Son,
> Jesus Christ, and his triumphant resurrection. In Your name I pray,
>
> Amen
>
> Matt
Amen!
As you say, many are wondering where God is right now, or why He let this
happen. I'd like to say to them that He's very much present and hard at
work. We see it reflected all over:
- The government could be in much worse shape. The plane that crashed into
the Pentagon was supposed to hit the White House. The Pentagon is built
like a tank, so only one section was damaged. The White House would have
been flattened.
- Likewise, they think that the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania was bound
for the Capitol. Had the plane not been brought down prematurely by the
heroic passengers, the Capitol most likely would have been destroyed.
(Congress was in session, too.)
- The death toll at the WTC could be much higher than it is. Fifty thousand
people worked there, yet most were able to evacuate because the towers did
not collapse right away.
- The people of America have rallied like never before in this generation,
donating blood and money. Enlistments have risen substantially.
- There has been a tremendous outpouring of support all over the world.
Nearly every country has been horrified at the attack and has pledged
whatever support it can give.
Let's be thankful for His mercy during such a tragedy.
--Ian
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