Recessional
God of our Fathers, known of old-
Lord of our far-flung battle line-
Beneath Whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine-
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget-lest we forget!
The burning twin towers of the World Trade Center
on the morning of September 11, 2001
The tumult and shouting dies;
The captain and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient Sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget-lest we forget!
Far-called our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all the pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget-lest we forget!
If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe-
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the Law-
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget-lest we forget!
For heathen heart that puts her trust
In recking tube and iron shard-
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard-
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!
Amen.
Remembering today those whose lives were lost
on the morning of September 11, 2001.
One of the memories I have of that terrible day is
how many Americans were suddenly crowding into
churches from coast to coast or holding public prayer
vigils, crying out to God for protection and comfort,
but also for understanding, in the wake of the appalling,
senseless evil which had afflicted our nation and people.
In the days following the terror attacks we
came together as one people, standing united,
albeit briefly, strangers helping strangers with
amazing generosity and compassion for each other.
That was the true patriotic spirit of America.
Unfortunately, it was short-lived.
Seventeen years since the tragedy of September 11th,
America as a nation is divided as never before.
Do we need to suffer another life-shattering catastrophe
to bring us together again as one nation under God?
"Lest we forget-lest we forget!"
A Prayer For America
"Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not
to covetousness, robbery, sensuality, unworthy riches.
Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, idols,
and idolatry and restore me to vigorous life and
health in Your ways.
Establish Your word and confirm Your promise
to Your servant, which is for those who reverently
fear and devotedly worship You."
Psalm 119:36-38
"Recessional"
Rudyard Kipling
(1865-1936)
English writer and poet
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