September 18, 2001

Dear Friends,

I was in Prague (in the neighboring Czech Republic) when the terrorist attack occurred in the United States. Like others, when I first heard about it, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that such an elaborate plot had been executed or that the Pentagon had been hit. However, I decided I would get on the Internet and try to learn more. When I did, I ended up reading articles for several hours. At first, I felt that the reports couldn’t be true. The whole thing seemed like the plot of an unrealistic, action film. But slowly, while reading article after article, the reality of the situation began to sink in, and I began to feel sick. I soon discovered that I was not alone in experiencing these feelings.

In the days following the attack, many people expressed their sorrow and support—friends, neighbors, church people. In Prague, an impromptu shrine was set up in Wenceslas Square, with hundreds—probably thousands—of candles and flowers. I later witnessed a similar shrine in Bratislava, Slovakia, outside the U.S. Embassy there. The flowers and candles, in Prague, were laid at the base of the statue of king Wenceslas. This statue is a traditional and historic gathering place for the Czechs to express themselves, including expressing their opposition to the Warsaw Pact invasion of 1968. And on September 14, the Czech nation observed a day or mourning. Some stores were closed. At noon, a siren wailed for three minutes, and many people stopped and stood in silence.

Church leaders in Prague put together a worship service, which was held in St. Vitas Cathedral, in the Hradcany, the ancient and historic seat of Czech government. President Havel attended, as did the U.S Ambassador. The Reverend Pavel Smetana, the Synodal Senior of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (one of our partner churches), preached. He spoke of the values by which we live. He noted that many of the victims who were able to telephone family members before their deaths said, "I love you. I will always love you." He said that love for others is an important value by which we must live.

"Kyrie elaison" was sung responsively by the choir and congregation. Prayers were offered for the dead, for the injured, for rescue worker and for those who had planned and carried out the attack, remembering that Jesus had taught us to pray for our enemies. And, there were also prayers for ourselves—that we might not become prisoners of fear and hatred. It was particularly significant to be part of the passing of the peace in this context. "Pokoj vam," people said and extended their hands. Near the end of the service, we said the Lord’s Prayer, including the concluding ascription of praise that Catholics do not habitually say, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen." In a society in which Catholics and Protestants do not always get along very well, here we were worshiping with one spirit and speaking with one voice. It was a powerful sign that old animosities can be overcome by love.

For me, it was important to worship with others during this time of tragedy. I heard the message of Christ, including the importance of loving others and seeking reconciliation. As I was leaving, I took a minute to look at the features of the cathedral. The stained glass and stone, the vaulted ceiling, and the entrance to the crypt where Czech kings are buried. All of these were reminders of the power and permanence of God’s word were reminders that, whatever appearances may be, we are held firmly in God’s loving hands. As one friend wrote, "I am reminded of a hymn from Latin America (no. 400 in the Presbyterian Hymnal): ‘When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus, and when we’re dying, it is in the Lord. Both in our living and in our dying, we belong to God’" (from Romans 14:8).

In this time of anger and mourning, I hope it is a comfort to know that people in the Czech and Slovak Republics extend their sincere sympathy and prayers. I close with a prayer offered by the past moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Venezuela. "Help us, O God, to keep on within the quiet presence of our loving Savior. Keep us from increasing the spiral of violence. Amen."

Rev. John Michael, Jr.

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 90