For me, September 11, 2001 might as well be yesterday. But not one of our 13 grandchildren was alive when my generation had its "Pearl Harbor" moment, and realized that our country is not invulnerable. Even for the eldest grandchild, it must feel as ancient as the division of Germany into East and West feels to me.
To mark this 25th anniversary of the day our world turned upside down, I offer two choir anthems that were written shortly after the events. Robert Kerr wrote this anthem for the Orlando Deanery Boychoir, and we had the privilege of singing it ourselves when Rob was our choir director.
Lord, grant us wisdom in our hour of need.
And give us vision, that we clearly see,
Your loving nature, Your mercies' might.
Bring us from darkness in to Your light.
Lord, touch our nation with Your healing hand.
And give us comfort o'er all the land.
Reveal Yourself to us and make us whole,
Reside within each heart and soul.
For there are battles we must fight,
And stand with courage for what is right.
Against the evil which infects us still,
Lord, give us conviction to know Your will.
Please help the strong to defend the weak,
But not in anger or revenge to seek,
So through Your justice let conflict cease.
Oh, unify us, and bring us peace.
For there are battles we must fight,
And stand with courage for what is right.
Against all evil, sin, and wrong,
Give us conviction to carry on!
Alleluia!
Lord, bless our soldiers across the sea,
And help them to set more people free.
And in their hearts, may they have pride to sing,
"God bless America,"
God bless America, Let freedom ring!
Our current choir sings this next anthem, A Prayer for Our Time by Pamela and Joseph Martin, for every 9/11 anniversary and at other appropriate times. This recording is really of us; thanks to Noah's work, we finally have a sound system that doesn't totally mangle the music—though I apologize for the extraneous sounds that crept in through a microphone error. The version below should start and stop at the right places, but if you can't see the embedded video, the link above takes you directly to YouTube and you'll have to scroll forward to timestamp 58:34.
Our God to thee we pray.
Heal our nation Lord today.
God of mercy, grant us courage, give us peace.
Give us peace, give us peace.
When evil draws its angry sword
And seeks to sever freedom's cord,
When death and darkness shake our faith
In God's unfailing power to save.
Eternal Father, ever be our courage in the time of need.
When war is raged by faceless foes
Who battle peace with fiery blows,
When storms of hate and fear assail
Our Father's mighty arm prevails.
Eternal Father, ever be
Our refuge in the time of need.
There is no tyrant who can stand
Against our sure defender's hand.
No threat or danger can defeat
The strong and righteous Prince of Peace.
Eternal Father, ever be our fortress in the time of need.
Amen!
And amen! The United States of America is even more vulnerable now than it was a quarter of a century ago, and our enemies more sophisticated and more effective. The crude events of September 11, 2001 brought our country together, along with much of the world. The more subtle attacks of our enemies throughout the intervening years are ripping us apart. "Deliver us from evil" is no longer just a line in the Lord's Prayer, but a desperate plea.
