A response to tragedy
___By Charles Wade
___Executive Director, Executive Board, Baptist General Convention of Texas
___Our people who treasure a free society are horrified by the acts of those who seek to influence our national life through violence and terrorism.
___We pray for the wounded, the families and the friends who are in deep grief today. We commend unto God's mercy the souls of all who have died. We pray for our president and all national leaders, that they will have wisdom in this trying hour. We give thanks for all who have distinguished themselves by their heroism in ways that may never fully be known.
___We pray for our enemies. We ask God to bring to justice all who have participated in planning such hurt and pain upon others. We trust in the Lord and ask Him to deliver the world from hate and bring us someday to a world where love and justice live in harmony.
___We pray for Christians that we will be the presence of Christ to all those who are hurting.
___Our churches will be open for prayer Wednesday and Sunday, and I pray that our people will especially reach out to those who do not normally come but are drawn by this national tragedy.
___--Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001



Baptist Standard