Dear friends, grace and peace be unto your from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

I am a warrior.  I have been engaged in a battle all my life.  I have been fighting an enemy called evil.  I have been fighting it as a pastor for 28 years.  I have seen its deceptions and cunning.  I have seen its ugly head pop up in a flash and be gone just as quickly.  I have seen its devastation in people’s lives, families and congregations.  I have been fighting evil.

Ironically, after the horrific events on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the lesson for the Confirmation class today was Creation and how sin and evil entered the world through disobedience.  Evil raised its ugly head to Adam and Eve and they were deceived.  From that point to today evil has been our enemy.

Several years ago Hal Lindsey wrote a book called, “Satan Is Alive And Well On Planet Earth.”  It is one of his better books and explains well the source of the horror of this past week.  Satan is indeed alive and well on planet earth.

St. Peter says, “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (I Peter 5:8-9a)

Dr. Mark Hillmer was one of my favorite professors in Seminary.  I took a Biblical Archeology class from him and I have never been able to forget one things he said, “You can always tell through archeology when a culture or city was about to fall to an enemy.  Its walls became thinner.  The cities with thick walls stood strong for years to come.”

It may be that I have remembered those words for this very day, I don’t know.  But I do know that free societies like ours cannot survive in an evil world if they let their walls of security become thin.  Evil does not respect the naïve and foolish. 

On Friday I had the desire to see a movie that I had missed in the theaters.  I checked out the DVD from Blockbuster and Sandy and I watched it.  Its title, “Enemy At The Gates.”  It is the true story of the Russian Army’s stand at Stalingrad during WWII.  A few expert snipers were able to break the back of the Nazis causing then to retreat.  It was not a dynamic battle with masses of troops but the result of a constant chipping away at the Nazi leadership.  

Our president has declared war on terrorism.  Why?  Because now the enemy is within our gates.  The strategy now being worked out to fight this enemy will involved an extended period of chipping away at its leadership and resources.  Our president, the free world leaders and we ourselves will be part of this war because we are always the targets of evil.

What part will we play?  We don’t have a choice.  We are called to be warriors against evil but our parts might surprise you.  

First, as a warrior we pray for our leaders.  St. Paul says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

We pray for our leaders who may be used by our God to wage a war of His wrath against terrorism.  We pray that our government and the free governments around the world will have the wisdom to follow God’s will in responding to what happened on Tuesday.  God gives government this authority.  And if you were to be called upon by our government to wage this war it is your duty as a citizen to respond.

Second, as a warrior we pray for our enemies.  Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

As Christians we have only one response according to Jesus.  We have no choice if we are led by the Spirit of God.  We must love our enemies and pray for them, that they would repent of their evil thoughts and deeds.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” and Jesus died on the cross for the very acts of terror that we witnessed on Tuesday.  He died to free the world from the evil of Sin, Death and the Devil.

There has been a lot of talk about this land uniting because of this terrible event.  It is important that we unite according to the Gospel.  As Christians we are given no choice as to how we are to respond.

I am angry and sad but I do not preach hatred or revenge but an awareness of our enemy and the love to combat it as followers of Christ.  Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

St. Paul says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.  On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

Those who are in our government and military and know Christ, will love the enemy as they even carry out the wrath of God against them.  It is the very contradiction of God Himself who is Love and yet Just.  I believe we saw this in our leadership and military during the Gulf War and I pray we will see it in our leadership and military during this war against terrorism.  

We are the warriors of Jesus’ love.  We engaged in a war all our lives.  We are fighting an enemy called evil and we “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adore His sacred name.”

Lord, we grieve over the loss of life from the terrorist acts in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.  Comfort those who have lost loved ones.  Comfort those who are injured with Your healing.  Strengthen those who are working to rescue the injured and recover the dead.  Guide and direct with wisdom, President Bush and all the resources of this land in responding to this evil terrorist act.

As we react with anger and sadness help us see with eyes of faith the purpose for which Your Son, Jesus, died.  He died to overcome the very evil we have witnessed this week.  May Your love break down the hatred which is the source of these terrible acts.  May Your powerful grace bring those responsible to repentance.  May Your grace help us forgive our enemies as You direct.  May Your judgment fall upon those who have perpetrated these terrible acts if it be Your will.

Lord, we know we are not a perfect nation.  We repent of our shortcomings and sins.  We are not Your chosen Israel.  Yet, there are many in this land who seek to do and be Your will.  May Your abundant blessing be poured out upon America that we may be Your champions of freedom and justice.  May we be Your servant in the world for peace.