Found here:[url]http://www.maxlucado.com/pdf/lucado.prayer.pdf[/url]

Dear Lord,

We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, What a horrible dream.

But we won't, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and, dear Father, we are sad.

There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)

We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn't.

And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help; we beg you for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord.

Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again.

And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord.

Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here on that Tuesday, you saw there on that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the ash fell on our children, the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced.

And by dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock.

But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord. Grant us a September Easter.

We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Disaster has done what discussion could not. Doctrinal fences have fallen. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity.

And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before you. And he has no idea what you can do.

Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe.

And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you've used her to heal a hurting world.

Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

Through Christ, Amen.

-Max Lucado

Only 16 views and not a single response? Come on guys, I expected more from this board than that, even (especially ?) from the athiests!

Everyones prayer to their God is a private matter with which I choose to not interfere.  That is, unless it asks for the death of me or mine.

OK I'll respond. Very comforting and inspiring and consoling. I will send the link to folks in my list. Thanks. BTW- Isn't cerberus the mythical three headed dog that guard the gates of hell? I know because my friends and I had a band by that name way too many years ago!

Yes, you are right about the handle, though that's not entirely why I picked it. The story is a little long so I won't post it now.

Cool name for  band though.

Ok so you want an athiest to check in on this thread.....I'll bite.


Why exactly do you feel the need to spread your particular religious views here?  Not that I decry your RIGHT to do so the FACT that you expect the Athiest population to be offended does cause me to take pause and consider your REAL intent.

At times such as these it is NORMAL and acceptable for people to reach out for support.  In my opinion ( ALSO MY RIGHT) it is people of limited internal fortitude who must reach outside of themselves to find strength.  Hey what ever gets you through these tough days is fine as long as you get through them (and it is not illegal).  This as they say is why you supposedly do not find athiests in fox holes.  Afterall at that point what do you have to loose.

I will never argue against people posting items that they think are inspiring anywhere.  It just the out and out bible thumping BELEIVE WHAT I DO OR BURN IN HELL sort of posts that turn me off.  As far as I am concerned the events of 9/11 are the end result of such concepts.

Cheers

Do we really want God's help??

No, I mean REALLY want God's help. Not sorta want God's help, not just think "It would be nice" but [size=4] REALLY [/size=4] want God's help....

...then that is easy. God gives the formula.

II Chron 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall HUMBLE themselves, and PRAY, and SEEK my face, and TURN from their wicked ways,then will I HEAR from heaven, and will FORGIVE their sin, and will HEAL their land.

We humble / pray / seek / and turn.

God hears / forgives / and heals.

It is THAT simple.

God has NEVER made a promise He didn't keep. But on THIS one, WE have to act FIRST.