Gebet Benedikst XVI. an Ground Zero im amerikanischen Original
O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and
traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence
and pain.
We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to
all who died here— the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency
service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men
and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought
them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion to bring
healing to those who, because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries
and illness. Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost
loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with
courage and hope.
We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury,
and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our
hearts are one with theirs as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God
of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men
and women and peace among the nations of the earth. Turn to your way of love those
whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding, overwhelmed
by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront
such terrible events. Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that
the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console
us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly
for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts
of all.