September 11, 2021 – Acts 16:25–40

“We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” Acts 16:11-15

Today is the twentieth anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the plane that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It is hard to believe it has been twenty years. Of course we have also just witnessed the final days of our country’s presence in Afghanistan – a presence directly tied to the attacks on 9/11. What have we accomplished these last twenty years following the attack on American soil? I am not so sure that anyone will agree on what we accomplished, whether our military losses were necessary, and if we handled the withdrawal the best way possible. History will eventually give us some answers.

I think it is appropriate today to set apart some time to pray for our country, our church and our leaders, both political and military. If we are going to learn to avoid the mistakes of the past, we need ask for G-d’s guidance in our decisions for the future. So….Let Us Pray:

Lord, you are the genesis of all knowledge, and the source of all love. Give our leaders open minds, open hearts, and loving spirits. May the words they speak and the actions they take show your love, mercy and grace. Amen.

Pastor Dave