Most of America

is still reeling from the vicious attacks on America and on innocent people

is that many people are seeking spiritual solace.

Certainly,

many of the clergy in New York City and Washington, D.C. have been mobilized

and word has it that Roman Catholic priests are conducting "last

rites" around the clock at the site of the World Trade Center. Plans

are underway to bring in clergy to conduct daily devotions during each

shift for the rescue and recovery workers who are suffering unimaginable

difficulty as the loss of life, the magnitude of the task, and the odor

of over 6,000 corrupting corpses takes its toll. Workers are said to have

spurned counselors, psychologists, or therapists. Instead, they are calling

for pastors and priests.

This attention

to spiritual matters has taken hold around the country as prayer vigils

are being conducted, special worship services held, and larger than normal

attendances at church are seen. At Turner Field in Atlanta, named after

super-agnostic Ted Turner, the ironic message on the marquee greeting

the tens of thousands on the interstate connecter is "God Bless America!"

Nationally

televised prayer meetings are being broadcast and the nation turned its

collective eye to the National Cathedral as Billy Graham, President George

W.Bush, and others called the nation to prayer and dependence on God.

In Fayette County last Tuesday, ministers from a wide range of denominations

came together to pray and repent. In most churches, the sermons for the

past two weeks have focused on the tragedy.

These events

are forcing many to consider the brevity of life, the uncertainty of the

current day, and the unfathomable sadness and unfairness that only an

approach to God can begin to heal.

But what about

the future? What if there is another terrorist attack? What if, on television

in an address to the nation, the President announces that hundreds of

thousands of military personnel are on the way to a war zone? If the nation

is spiritually needy now, how much more needy will it be in the event

of additional tragedy or during a protracted period of uncertainty?

In Peachtree

City, many of the clergy of that community and the surrounding area are

planning for just such an event, even though they are praying that it

never happens. If a national disaster were to occur, on the scale of the

World Trade Center, or a massive military operation is commenced, a community

prayer service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. the day after the tragedy.

Area ministers of all Christian denominations will gather at 7:00 p.m.at

First Baptist Church in Peachtree City to receive assignments.

At 7:15, the

ministers will be dispatched to two churches where two identical prayer

services will be conducted. One service will be held at First Baptist

Church while the other will be conducted at First Presbyterian Church.

The two churches sit next door to each other so that people coming to

attend the services can park in the common lots and enter one of the two

buildings. If both buildings fill up, then a third service will be conducted

in thefellowship hall of First Baptist Church. Parking will be available

at both churches, at the recreational park across the street, and next

door at the city municipal buildings.

Even the scriptures

and songs have been selected in advance. There will be singing, scripture

readings, and prayer. Lots of prayer. There will, however, be no sermon.

If such an event does occur again, it is not time to listen to a man.

It is time to worship God, to seek God, and to commit to God.

Most worship

services, especially community services, are well-planned, highly advertised,

and a high attendance hoped for. In Peachtree City, the ministers who

have planned this service are praying that it will never be held. But,

if tragedy does occur, if a national emergency cannot be avoided, then

the clergy of Peachtree City and the surrounding area will be there to

help the community through yet another difficult situation. Just like

they always are, day after day.

[Father David

Epps is rector of Christ the King Church in Peachtree City. He may be

contacted at [email protected] or at www.ChristTheKingCEC.com .]