[Dear readers: As you read today's edition, please take a moment to
remember your fellow Americans in this terrible time. If you'd like
to help out, make plans to give blood next week, but take 60 seconds
*right now* to make a monetary donation to the Red Cross. Just click
on https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp to send your
tax-deductible contribution -- it's so easy, and a small way to help
those neighbors in need.

May you and yours be safe and sound. And, God bless America. --Wade]




Copyright 2001 Birmingham Post Co. http://www.postherald.com

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WADE WEEKLY
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Wade Kwon's weekly column
from the Birmingham Post-Herald,
Birmingham, Alabama

September 12, 2001

Our prayers can provide comfort for wounded nation
By Wade Kwon
Birmingham Post-Herald


Shock. Horror. Disbelief. Numbness. And ultimately, pain.

The World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and who knows where next. As a
nation reels from apparently the worst terrorist attack in U.S.
history, many of us feel helpless, for those who have already
suffered, for our own safety. But Americans have a powerful weapon in
their arsenal, one mightier than explosions and threats.

That weapon is prayer.

First, pray for the victims and their families. It will be some time
before we know just how many fell to this cowardly act, so we must
continue to ask for God's help in these terrible times.

Pray for the survivors. As those who witnessed first-hand the
devastating Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the aftermath is a long
nightmare of trauma, fear, anger and sorrow.

Pray for the rescue workers. Only they will see the true horror up
close, scenes that will haunt them for a lifetime. Their tireless
efforts will be rewarded cruelly, digging out broken bodies from the
rubble.

Pray for the volunteers. They must supply comfort and sympathy from
any hidden reservoir they can find. And they must be strong for those
in pain, struggling with the question of why.

Pray for President Bush, for all our leaders. May they find the
strength and wisdom to guide us through these troubled times. The
weight of the free world rests on their capable shoulders.

Pray for New York and for Washington. Two of our nation's finest
cities will eventually recover from these black eyes, but its
citizens will be uniquely scarred with Tuesday's tragedy.

Pray for each other. We all know family members, friends and
co-workers touched by these horrible murders. Even our loved ones in
their travels far away from home need our attention. Keep them all in
your thoughts.

Pray for strength and courage. As always, the American people will
shine brightest in these, our darkest hours.

Pray for justice. It goes unspoken, but no one will rest until the
murderers are caught and convicted.

Pray for the ability, the capacity to pray for the terrorists who
murdered our sons and daughters. No matter how wicked the deed or
heart of man, God demands that we pray for everyone, even those who
would do us harm. Forgiveness, however, remains a matter for another
day.

Pray again for the victims and their families. We mourn as one nation
under God.

And as we prepare for war, pray for peace.



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WADE WEEKLY FAN MAIL
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Recent responses to Wade's columns


LETTER #1

In response to today's column:

The article you wrote is very touching and well written. I hope all
who read it will pray as you suggested. As a Christian and an
American, I totally agree that our most powerful weapon is prayer. We
are still "One Nation Under God" and must show our enemies that we
are not afraid.

We must especially pray for the families of the victims who lost
their lives that God will give them the inner strength to cope with
their loss. So many innocent people lost their lives and I can only
imagine how difficult it is going to be for the families of the
victims.

E-mails are floating around Birmingham urging everyone to do the following:

On Thursday, to wear red, white and blue to honor men and women who
died and those who risk their lives to save lives.

Friday is "Flags Across America." All Americans to display the
American Flag in their homes or cars.

Friday night at 7 p.m., step out your door, stop your car or step out
of your establishment to light a candle.

I think your article should be published in every newspaper across
the United States. I just wanted you to know my thoughts about your
article.

Ann Beard


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[No Insta Poll this week, but if you'd like to share your thoughts on
Tuesday's tragedies, please email them to me at
mailto:wadekwon@.... They'll be published in next week's
edition.]