We are not alone
By Gerald Sonnenberg

ST. LOUIS: At a time like this, it is easy for a nation to feel alone, as other nations can attest to throughout recent history. As Christians, we tend to wonder what could drive any human being, no matter what their religious or political views, to inflict such destruction on others for no clear reason.

Also as Christians, we know we are not alone, because God is with us in all things. And in this day of rapid communication, we can feel a sense of brotherhood with the world as thousands of messages pour in from the citizens of other nations who feel sadness at the events on Sept. 11.

Here are a few of the many messages received at Lutheran Hour Ministries from around the world:

“We are deeply mourning about the great loss in your nation. Since the first minutes of the tragedy, we have prayed for you, for America, its victims, families and your government. And we continue to pray. America always has been, for Russians, a symbol of freedom and, first of all, a symbol of religious freedom….Yesterday, people came to the American Embassy. They were Russians and foreigners. They brought flowers and candles to show their solidarity with the people of America. Some of them carried slogans saying, ‘We are mourning.’ Others donated blood. Please forward our encouragement to all. We pray for you and stay with you. God bless America!”
-- from RUSSIA

“It is with great distress, grief, dismay and consternation that I, my staff and Christians in Benin heard and watched the mass terrorism that happened in your great nation. It is certainly one of the numerous devilish acts designed to shock God's people. We pray that God's spirit keep you under his protection and peace. May God keep you in his Grace and help you to stand firm. Let's pray that God changes the hearts of those who have made such a plot against your nation and the entire world. May they be turned to God and his wonderful words.”
-- from BENIN

“We have been following the horrific tragedy your nation is facing. Disbelief and sorrow have silenced us. We want to offer our deepest condolences. We want you to know that through this time of mourning, grief, anger and worry that you are not facing this alone. You and your whole nation are in our hearts and prayers continuously.”
-- from FINLAND

“As the days unfold here in Australia, the pictures are becoming more clear of the scale of the tragedies that have struck your wonderful country. I want to assure you that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your fellow countrymen and especially your leaders as you work through this sad time. May the Gospel of new life, hope and peace be heard strongly during these times of such sickening tragedies.”
--from AUSTRALIA

“Dear brothers and sisters. In this tragic hour, we pray only for you.”
-- from MOLDOVA

“First, I want to express my deepest feelings and my sorrow for you and everybody in the USA. Since yesterday afternoon everybody here is just sitting and watching TV, nobody can say a word, for me personally it was a horrible night, because my parents are in N.Y. for vacation at the moment. But this morning I received an e-mail that they are okay! God bless you all and give you the strength, the faith and the hope for these darkest hours in human history.”
-- from GERMANY

“Let the grace of our Savior abound with all his people. We have followed the media coverage of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.A. We share with the American people the pain of these attacks. Transmit our word of compassion and solidarity to all.”
-- from CAMEROON

“We are following, with sadness, what was done in the U.S.A. by criminal terrorists. We pray to God to give all of the victims’ families comfort and touch all the wounded.”
-- from EGYPT

“We are continuing to see the news of the terrorist attacks that happened on Sept. 11. We want to express our solidarity and share with you our grief at this difficult and tragic time. Our prayers are with all the people of the United States. We pray that those who have been affected most will find comfort and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
-- from JAPAN

“I just learnt of the tragedy which happened in New York (and Washington D.C.) We will pray for your country.”
-- from TAIWAN

“I was sorry to hear of such a terrible thing happening in your country. I pray God, our Good Shepherd, will heal and comfort the innocent victims.”
-- from VIETNAM

“We just became aware of what happened in your nation today. We feel very saddened by the events that took place, and we want to tell you that we are praying fervently to God to give you His Strength, His Love, His Understanding, His Courage to go ahead and be able to bear each moment of our lives; the way God wants us to do it.”
-- from PARAGUAY

“We saw the TV news this morning; we feel so sad about what is happening in your country. We want you to remember that God is with you and His mercy and His care will be forever with all whom believe that He is the one forever and ever. We pray for God to give you the serenity and the strength to keep on going because there are a lot of people who need to know about Jesus’ love.”
-- from GUATEMALA

“Dear American friends, dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. I still cannot believe what I learned and saw yesterday. It looked like a new version of Orson Welles (“War of the Worlds”) or one of those catastrophe movies. This time, however, we're asked to face it as reality. When apocalypse strikes we're brought to solidarity. Behind your nation, it is the whole Western world that feels the destruction of such symbols. I understand how many people desired to see such symbols humbled, people everywhere afraid of and angry against world finance, nations and peoples and perceiving the US as an enemy or as their foe's ally. It can never justify such despise of human life and such hate against a nation. I feel how devastating this is and we experienced shock and revolt over here too last night. I had to get out - after so much rain, the sun was back, the end of the afternoon so peaceful. I felt peace was a terrible privilege. I can only sympathize with the anger and sorrow you probably feel. This is such hateful evil and an unspeakable offense. We pray that the Lord guide your hearts according to His, and we are and will be in prayer for the victims and those who bring them rescue and care, for all the families struck, for the peace of your people and the proclamation of God's redeeming will even and especially in these times of sudden trial.”
-- from FRANCE

“We are very sorry about these terrible acts of brutal, inhuman terror that has happened in New York and Washington. We want you to know that we are with you and with victims in our prayers and thoughts. We send you our deepest condolence.”
-- from ESTONIA

“I am still in shock, and the local TV is still broadcasting the terrible event. I pray that God’s grace and mercy will bring peace to the USA and its people.”
-- from CHINA

“We are very sorry when we heard about the disaster in your country. We are praying for your country and the victims in this terrible disaster.”
-- from MYANMAR

“With grief and fear, we observe the present situation in the USA. We regret the loss of innocent lives, and we are praying for you that our Lord gives you a mountain of strength, wisdom and His peace in future days.”
-- from SLOVAKIA

“This is just to let you know that we keep in our thoughts and prayers your beautiful country and its people in this moment of sorrow. Today is a day of mourning in Latvia, and memorial and prayer services are held all over the country. We pray for the souls of the deceased, for the recovery of the wounded and for serenity of those who have lost their dear ones. But I am sure that you will come out of this tragedy stronger than ever. Your love, warmth and help that Latvian people and I myself have experienced for so many years is a powerful witness of the strength of your nation. God be with you, and God bless America!”
-- from LATVIA

Release No: 01-69, Date: 13 Sept. 2001, International Ministries News Release, Point of Contact is Gerald Sonnenberg (314) 317-4159, gerald.sonnenberg@lhm.org, Int’l Lutheran Laymen’s League 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive St. Louis MO, 63141-8557