Leading the nation in regrouping and rebuilding after the savage assaults on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, President Bush has designated tomorrow as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.
“We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss,” said the president in a formal proclamation. “All our hearts have been seared by the sudden and senseless taking of innocent lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and encourage one another in hope and faith.”
Citing Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted,” Bush called on Americans to honor “the memory of the thousands of victims of these brutal attacks” and comfort “those who lost loved ones.”
Specifically, the president asked American citizens and churches to mark the observance with memorial services accompanied with the ringing of bells at noon and candlelight vigils at night.
“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.”
“We will persevere through this national tragedy and personal loss,” said Bush. “In time, we will find healing and recovery; and, in the face of all this evil, we remain strong and united, ‘one Nation under God.'”
Since the attacks Tuesday morning, churches have been calling on members to pray, while national Christian leaders have carried the message of intercession across the country.
Following the National Day of Prayer, on Saturday, Sept. 15, more than 115,000 parishioners linked via satellite in some 1,000 churches are expected to participate in a national prayer vigil called America Prays.
Lead by “Prayer of Jabez” author Bruce Wilkinson, the vigil will feature Franklin Graham, CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Focus on the Family’s James Dobson, author Max Lucado and John Maxwell, founder of the Atlanta, Ga.-based organization hosting the event, Injoy.
Maxwell described the vigil as “an outreach to our communities in this time of uncertainty. …” America Prays will be held from 4-5:30 p.m., Eastern.
Rounding out the weekend, the National Association of Evangelicals is urging its 51 member denominations and 43,000 churches to ready for a “National Day of Mourning and Prayer” on Sunday, Sept. 16.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by these terrorist attacks and call upon followers of Jesus Christ in this country and around the world to pray and to reach out with compassionate help,” said NAE chairman Dr. Edward L. Foggs.
