Today
we gather to remember and reflect on an event that changed the way we see the
skyline of downtown Oklahoma City; that changed for many a sense of security
that since that day we can no longer have; that changed our understanding of
the face of terrorism, and brought us horror when we realized the face looked
like us.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember and pray for the people who were in the wrong place at the wrong
time. Those who wandered into the
building to visit friends, change their name on their social security card, and
other innocuous reasons to go to a building targeted by those who would seek to
do evil. There was nothing to tell them
to stay away or indicate that the day would be any different.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
pray for those who died, and those changed forever. We remember the fragility of human life and
give thanks for the breaths we take.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember and pray for those who had offices in the building, who were holding
meetings, talking on the phone, typing, having inane conversation around the
coffee pot in the break room.
Unsuspecting that that cup, that conversation, that thought would be
their last.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember and pray for the people who were near the building on the street or across
the street who, although not in the building targeted for destruction, lost
their lives in the devastation anyway.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember those who responded, the one who died, and all who suffered great
trauma at the sight of wreckage and desolation.
Those who still see visions in their dreams that they wish they could
erase. Those who medicated and
self-medicated the pain away. Those who
took their lives because they could never find peace. And those who love them.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember and pray for the children who died that day. Children in the day care center where parents
dropped off their children with a sense of security believing they would be
picking them up that evening safe. We
remember the children who died while with parents or grandparents at the social
security office. We remember our children
everywhere who have been victims of violence whether by a truck bomb or a
school shooting or a political regime that cares little for human life.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember grieving parents, grandparents, siblings. We remember the children who, although they
lived, their lives were never the same again.
We remember our duty and obligation to all our children to protect them
from violence and the fear violence brings.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, children,
beloved friends and even close acquaintances of those who were killed. Whose grief was tangible, and even the sky
cried that day.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
remember and pray for those who lost their lives, and those who survived
although forever changed.
Lord
in your mercy…
As
Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us, we pray and
remember those who planned, plotted, schemed, and carried out this heinous act. We pray that we may learn to trust again, in
spite of our fear, because all of humanity is not responsible for the deeds of
a few. We pray for their families who
were thrust into the spotlight, and were grieving as well. We pray for them as best we can, Lord help us
when we do not know how we should pray.
Lord
in your mercy…
We
pray for ourselves, that we might never forget to stand again injustice,
oppression, violence and evil however it presents itself. Lord give us strength and wisdom. Lord grant us peace in the midst of a chaotic
world.
Lord
in your mercy…
Hear
our prayers today and everyday, O God.
Amen.
