We confess our sin in Your holy presence, acknowledging how we Americans have been too unconcerned with the danger of terrorism when it threatened people in other nations far from our shores, how we have turned aside when injustice has been tolerated in other places when it did not seem to affect our own security, and how we have trusted more in our power than in the things that make for peace. Forgive us, we pray, and grant us greater wisdom in the future for the sake of the well-being of the whole world.

We ask for Your mercy upon us as we take up arms in the aim of restraining the evil of terrorism, preventing those who would do violence against defenseless people, and restoring the right of peoples everywhere to live peaceable lives. Enlighten all those in the offices of government throughout the world to know how to unite to serve the common good without sowing the seeds of a future war. Grant us strength to do what is necessary to be delivered from evil without forgetting that what we do falls short of Your purpose for us to participate in the highest good. Save us from ever believing that war can be holy, even when it may be just.

We intercede for those in the armed forces of our nation and other nations who are in harm’s way in the struggle against terrorists. Grant them courage and strength and deliverance from the plots of the wicked. We pray for our president and his cabinet, prime ministers and rulers as they make solemn decisions. Grant to them wisdom to find and to follow the ways that will lead to the most just, peaceable and swift resolution of conflict. We intercede for the citizens of our country and those of other countries that all of us may be brave, patient and united in our love for one another, being ever sensible of our need for Your many mercies.

We ask for the superlative power of Your Holy Spirit to participate in the true nature of humanity rescued by Christ our Savior from the power of sin and to learn how to pray for our enemies. We do not really know our enemies, but we do know that there are many who hate us and who seek to destroy us. Although it will be the hardest thing we will ever do, grant us grace to hate what they do without hating them, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sinners praying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Open the eyes of many of our enemies that they may see the wickedness of lawless violence, turn away from their course and help hasten the day for peace. Let many of them live to teach future generations a better way to inhabit the good earth, to turn swords into ploughs, to build houses and gardens, and to practice true religion, which is to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with You.