“The First thing I want you to do is pray.  Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.  Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.  This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”  I Timothy  2:1-3 (The Message)

I invite you to join me in a moment of silence for the victims of Flight 3407.

Let us pray.  Loving God, gracious Father, we give you thanks this day for the blessings you give.  For home and family, food and clothing, and all that we need from day to day. 
We remember especially today the families and friends of those who died in the crash of flight 3407.  Give them comfort in their grief, and support in their distress. 

For the firefighters and the first responders who were among the first on the scene, and for those who stayed the course in the days that followed, we give you thanks for equipping them with the courage and strength to finish the tasks of rescue and recovery.   Be with those who were displaced, and with those whose lives were touched and forever changed by this horror.  Grant them your peace, and remind them that you are with them always.

We also ask you to remember today, Lord God, and ask your blessings upon our elected leaders, for President Obama, for Governor Patterson, and for all who serve this great state in these legislative bodies.  Let your light shine upon them.  Give them wisdom and strength, courage and understanding, especially when the going gets tough.  For the task that is ahead of them is great, and the challenges are many in this time of economic stress and hardship.

So keep watch over our elected leaders.  Watch over them and their families.  Remind all citizens of this state who put their trust in you to continue to pray for them and this thing to which you have called them.  Use us to support their work in service to their communities, and to the state of New York.
And to all who govern, in whatever capacity, and in whatever setting, grant a spirit of cooperation, of listening, of congeniality and respect – that the work to which you have called them might be accomplished.  And may none but honest and wise men and women ever rule on behalf of the people.
In your great name we pray.  Amen