Throughout my childhood, my dad would periodically share with me and my brother, Lee, about where he was and what he was doing when he heard that John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King had been shot. These seemed like distant horrors, things that could not happen in my time. I didn’t fully understand…
I’ll never forget that morning. It was my second week as a freshman in high school. I was getting ready for the day, brushing my teeth next to Lee, and we heard our mom scream from the other bathroom. We ran to her and her face was whiter than we had ever seen it, rattled and aghast. “They flew airplanes into New York,” she said, calmly but painfully. “Terrorists flew airplanes into our country, into the Twin Towers.” I didn’t fully understand, but I knew that my childhood was over.
For those of us who remember that horrible morning of September 11, 2001, we will likely never, ever, forget where we were and how we were feeling when the terrible news arrived and altered our country–and truly our world–forever. Every year on this day, on this anniversary of American communal loss, I thank God for the bravery of the first responders who risked, or sacrificed, their lives as American heroes to save others. I pray for the soldiers, sailors, and seals who continue to protect our country from harm. I remember, with great appreciation, my social studies teacher who calmly helped my class understand and process what was happening at school that day. And of course, I pray that our country will know only peace throughout our lifetimes.
Since medieval times, a prayer for our country and the government has been a standard piece of Jewish liturgy; archetypal words of hope and comfort. Today and every day, may our prayers for safety and security resonate on high.
–Cantor Emma Lutz
A Prayer for Our Country from Mishkan Tefillah (our Reform siddur)
O Guardian of life and liberty, may our nation always merit your protection.
Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need.
Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth.
May we never be lazy in the work of peace;
May we honor those who have died in defense of our ideals.
May they govern with justice and compassion.
Help us all to appreciate one another,
And to respect the many ways that we may serve You.
May our homes be safe from affliction and strife,
And our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.