"Worldwide Baptists Express Grief and Support (by Wendy Ryan)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BWA) - Baptists from around the world have expressed sorrow and outrage at the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., and have assured the Baptist World Alliance of their prayers.

Baptist Union of Norway:
We have followed the situation in USA with the terrorist attacks yesterday night and this morning, and are choked what is happening. How can people do such damage and kill thousands of innocent people? We have been praying for the relatives of the dead people, and for all the injured persons. We pray for the people who try to help and find the wounded people in the ruins - that they might find people alive. We send you all our condolences and sympathy and hope that the people responsible for this terrorist attach may be caught and imprisoned.

Baptist Union of Croatia:
We all here in Croatia have been shocked seeing the terrible news of the attack on America. We pray that God will protect you since you are so close in the place of the attack. We also pray for all the victims who have suffered from the attack, and also for you government leaders to find proper solution of finding the real enemy.

Baptist Evangelical Churches Union of Italy:
The Italian Baptist Churches wish to express all our concern, Christian solidarity and fraternal love to all of you in these terrible days of pain and sorrow caused by the criminal terroristic attack to the people and churches in your country. This is a horrible blasphemy. We want to assure you that our churches will be praying in these difficult times for the families of the victims and for the healing of the injured. We will also be praying that God may give wisdom to the people in power so that violence and revenge will not escalate to other violent acts and massacres. Finally we pray that God call other people to the service of peace and reconciliation in this world of enmity and hatred.

Baptist Union of Norway:
We are choked at the insane terrorist actions in New York City and Washington. I just want to assure you all of our prayers. We mourn all who were killed and pray also for the injured and the family members of those involved. May the Lord give you strength as you reach out to both our own Baptist people and all other victims of this tragedy.

Bengal Baptist Union:
We the Baptist here in West Bengal are shocked by the news of the terrorist attack in New York and Washington which claimed so many innocent lives of people without any rhyme or reasons. We firmly believe that the blessings of God has been with you and saved you all Baptists in USA and we assure our prayers for all living in USA.

Progressive Bethel Baptist Church of Port Elizabeth, South Africa:
We the Progressive Bethel Baptist Church of Port Elizabeth South Africa want to:
Condemn in the strongest terms possible this senseless violent killing of innocent lives. We call upon all our Baptist churches in South Africa to be in prayer for our friends, partners and brothers and sisters across the Atlantic at this time and to light a candle to say that there will be peace at last. We call upon all Baptist churches in the USA to stand together at this time particularly the families of the victims and the departed and to continue in the tradition of our ancestor and leader the Rev Dr. ML King Jr. not to be dragged to the level of the violent but ware the violent out with the amazing "ability to love."

European Baptist Mission, Germany:
Today I write to you to express to you, to your family and all your beloved ones my deep concern, care, prayer and solidarity in view of what happened in New York and Washington, D.C. We are all very very shocked and we stand at the side of our American friends and partners. The "attack on America" is a brutal and criminal act of totally mislead people. As Christians we see behind this attack the power of evil, but we very clearly know that the power of our almighty God, his power of love in Jesus Christ, is much stronger and will have the victory at the end.

First Baptist Church of Wroclaw, Poland:
We all know what happened in New York City. We are shocked because of the tragedy which was caused by the terrorist attack on the towers of World Trade Center and Pentagon. On the behalf of the First Baptist Church of Wroclaw, Poland I want you to know that we are hurting and praying. We pray for the people who suffer in New York. We pray for those who lost their loved ones. We pray for those who bring the first aid to victims. We pray for the leaders of the USA so that they will have necessary wisdom to make appropriate decisions. We pray for the Christians that they will be used by God in this dramatic situation to bring His presence, peace, comfort and good news. We pray for those who are far from God that they may come to know Him in the midst of terrible confusion and uncertainty. Our prayers are with you. Let's continue to trust in Him and draw near to Him in this difficult for the whole world hour!!

Euro-Asiatic Federation Churches Baptist Union, Russia:
We shocked by this situation that happened in America! Thousands of guiltless people became victims of this terrible terrorist's raid. In this terrible time we will be praying together that God will console relatives of dead people and gave you a power to carry this terrible tragedy and work on His field for your people.

Baptist Association of South Africa:
We were shocked to see on television the events in the USA. Be assured of our prayers for you and your country.

The Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptist in Former Yugoslavia:
When we heard the breaking news about the attack on America today we stayed without a word. We are shocked by severe and evil terrorist action against America and American people. In this very dramatic day for America we want to tell you that we sympathize with you and your people and we will continue to pray for you in these hard days you are passing through. We sympathize especially with families of killed people and we pray for them to have God's power to overcome loss of their beloved ones. What we can do in this moment from this side is to pray for you and for your government to overcome this situation by decisive and wise steps. We are with you in your suffering!

Baptist Union of Slovakia:
In this moment of national tragedy, we want to assure you that our prayers are with you and your families. We cannot believe all the shattering news coming from your beautiful home country. It is impossible to grasp that human mind can conceive such a plan to kill thousands of innocent people, and evoke a global fear in all of us around the planet. We are deeply grateful for all the help coming from our American brothers and sisters deeply rooted in your unconditional Christian love. All throughout this week in all our congregations we will be gathering in special prayer meetings to call onto the Lord to hold His protecting hand over your nation.

As we receive these, we will continue to post on our website."

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