Our Freedom Attacked by Faceless Cowards
September 11-12, 2001:

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DPowell posted these two pictures yesterday on SurfTalk. I put them here on the main page not for shock value, but so that we could begin to understand the cowardly attack and mass murder of thousands of our innocent friends, family, and the brave rescue workers that risked and gave their lives in efforts to save others. Like many others, I am simply beyond words when I try to comprehend the utter devastation of these attacks - and the attack on the Pentagon - and the failed attack that resulted in innocent people dying as one hijacked plane went down SE of Pittsburg, short of it's intended target. As Rhodester said, it's hard to picture these events as simply planes crashing into buildings and planes crashing into the ground - they are seen as motherless and fatherless children, brotherless and sisterless siblings, son and daughterless parents. While there will eventually be some dollar figure attached to these terrorist attacks, there will never be a measure accurately describing the loss of human life. There will be numbers, attrociously high numbers of good folks who perished in these cowardly acts - but each one of those lost lives will be felt forever in the hearts and souls and changed lives of thousands of people...and their sorrow will be shared by many, many millions.

I asked Plug to lead us in a prayer yesterday morning as these surrealistic events began unfolding and I will leave you with that prayer:

Great God and Heavenly Father. Lord, we ask that you would intervene to prevent the carrying out of any further acts of hate. We would ask that you work miraculously in the rescue efforts. Lift your strong hand Lord to save lives and protect the lives of the emergency personnel. We would ask that your love and compassion be with the families and friends of those who have met with tragedy. Oh God, give them your comfort. We would ask that you send your ministers of comfort, whoever they may be, to provide for these people tangible aid for their grief and loss.

Lord we pray that you would inspire us to become involved. To reach out as you prompt us to give of ourselves and our means. Show us ways to tangibly act. We pray that you would unite our country in purpose and action. Lord we would pray for our leaders. Those who are elected and those who serve in military and intelligence operations. We pray for their safety. And we pray that their actions and decisions be swift and wise to protect the welfare of this great nation.

Finally we pray for our enemies. We pray that somehow your heart of love would effect their lives. We pray that you would turn their hearts from the hate which causes such horrible acts of aggression. Father, you have said in your word that "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

We pray that you would hear the prayers of your people. In Jesus name, Amen.

Sincerely,

Tim Surgent