Back Talk
Elise Permar’s Back Talk from The Islander’s Sept. 17, 2001 edition which was the first edition after Sept. 11, 2001
America is Praying
The prayer with which I start my mornings is a simple one, from the Book of Common Prayer. I’ve shared it with you before.
“This is another day, O Lord, I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus.”
On Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. when we heard the first reports of the day of death, my thoughts turned to these words of prayer and I grieved for all the families who “knew not what the day would bring forth.”
I prayed that they were able to face it gallantly. I know that many were able to stand bravely and those they left who can do nothing but wait, must now stand patiently.
Indeed we do not know what a day will being forth, but we do know that the tragedy of September 11, burned into our minds and hearts, has already created a difference in America.
Gone is division, gone are differences, replaced with a giant upswell of prayer, of compassion, of giving and of unity.
From all directions help has come, some small gifts, some large gifts, but all representative of America’s determination. The blood banks have had lines of people waiting to give; an author in Phoenix is giving the profit of his book; on St. Simons, Express Lube is donating their profits from Friday, Sept. 14 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief.
By email and word of mouth vigils have been planned and held; flags are flying everywhere; candles are burning nightly. It has been suggested that at 9 p.m. every night Americans have a “silent moment” to focus our thoughts on those who have had to stand bravely.
Many have spoken great words to help sustain America in this time of horror; our President has promised to bring justice for those who died; another quote is from Proverbs which tells us that the test of gold is fire, but the test of man is adversity. Today America is being tested one more time; but just as we in the past have faced the adversities of war, disease, and depression, we will prevail.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked Winston Churchill knew that this action would backfire on the Japanese. Later he wrote, “It is however easier to infuriate Americans than to cow them.” (The Hinge of Fate, 1950)
Last week the terrorists made the same mistake. Americans’ greatest strength is the spirit of the American people and neither they nor anything else can crush it.
Yes, America is on its knees – not brought down in defeat, but on its knees in prayer.
And we will rise and as Rep. (Jack) Kingston said in the House of Representatives, “Tomorrow we will seek justice and the bell of freedom will ring once more, loudly over the globe.”
In God We Trust.