Friday, September 14, 2001 12 PM
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
President Bush
The Cathedral hosted the service three days after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. The Rev. Billy Graham preached; President George W. Bush spoke, and the Very Rev. Nathan Baxter and the Rt. Rev. Jane Holmes Dixon officiated.
Dean Baxter’s Statement and Prayer for the Victims
Today we are mindful that much of the world lives with the kind of terror and fear that we Americans are experiencing following these evil and dastardly acts. We pray that our belief in God’s justice and love will continue to sustain people of good will whatever their faith tradition and will save us from blind anger and hasty judgment.
In this time of indescribable emotional and physical suffering we must steel ourselves against the despair that is the greatest threat to our security and peace.
All the world’s great religions teach that revenge and despair simply fuel more violence and pain, and I encourage all people to seek solace in their religious faith and to pray for the grace to bear up under the weight of this tragedy and to be sustained by faith now and in the days to come.
Let us offer prayers of consolation for all the victims of these tragedies along with their loved ones and those who minister to their needs.
And let us pray for our President and those charged with our national security that they will be blessed with the grace of clear judgment to act in responsible and measured ways in the interest of justice and peace.
Statement of the Very Reverend Nathan D. Baxter
Dean, Washington National Cathedral
September 11, 2001