"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven - a time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep, a time to mourn and a time to heal."

The verses from Ecclesiastes were among the comforting words for the many that turned out to take part in the National Day of Prayer to honour those involved in the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

And Bermuda was in unison with the rest of the world, holding various vigils and prayer services throughout the day to help all in the community toward the healing process.

Yesterday, the American Society of Bermuda and American Consulate General and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess held separate services to honour the lives lost.

And the day long outpouring of love and compassion touched the highest of community leaders to the average person on the street.

It was for an opportunity for all to grieve and try to make sense of the events on that day that were so unthinkable.

From Muslims to Catholics and Seventh Day Adventists to African Methodists, more than a dozen ministers and other spiritual leaders spoke words of comfort and reassurance at the two vigils.

At the gathering for the American Society in Victoria Park, several hundred sat on chairs, bleachers and towels to show support for Americans residing in Bermuda and those suffering abroad.

And the Star Spangled Banner could be spotted throughout the crowd being held high and proudly by patriotic Americans.

"I am trying to take part in what my American brothers and sisters are feeling right now," said Deirdre Ward, who is from New Jersey. "I feel that this is a way that I can feel in their pain."

An emotional Nancy Nichols and her family stood holding a blanket sized American flag. She said her family had very close ties to the New York tragedy and are still waiting on word of missing friends.

"My husband has many friends who work in the World Trade Centre building who didn't get out," said the Massachusetts native. "It would have been awful if it was just an accident, but it was deliberate. I have had a hard time explaining this to my daughter. when she saw me crying, she saw it on TV and she just said 'mommy its just TV'. But the outpouring of love and comfort has just been a beautiful thing."

And Anglican Church arch deacon Arnold Hollis echoed the sentiments by all who spoke, when he said: "It is important for us to remember that God is dependable, reliable and he does not break his laws. Some have asked why does a good and just God allow suffering - this must be his will. But I do not believe that this is God's will."

Premier Jennifer Smith, who attended the vigil, spoke words of encouragement and comfort those who were directly affected by the events of September 11.

"The horrific acts of terrorism directed at the United States of America and her people have been felt by the global community," she said. "Like so many countries around the world, Bermuda too, has been affected. We are mindful of those who have lost friends and those who are enduring tense moments - know that you are not alone. This tragedy has highlighted the best of humanity."

But many locals were there to just grieve in silence.

With the backdrop of the American flag hanging high, in the Hamilton Princess ballroom, one local woman in attendance at the lunchtime vigil, said she was at the service because she did not know how else to deal with the tragedy.

"This was the only way I could think of to show my support and concern for all the victims," she said. "There were so many lives lost and you just don't know what to do, where to turn."

The woman and nearly 150 others prayed and fellowshipped together at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess to songs sung by the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church choir and soloists Toni Richardson and Rodney Trott.

In convening the event of unity, Hamilton Princess human resources director Kellianne Gibbons said it was necessary to allow people a time to come together and grieve.

"We had a lot of our guests in the hotel who are still here and that cannot catch their flights," she said. "So the tension is rising. And we just wanted to try and do something for them as well as for those who are trying to deal with this time of tragedy. We recognise the devastation and we feel their hurt we feel their pain. We are just very empathetic and wanted to do anything to ease the grief."

Rev. Malcolm Eve, presiding elder of the AME and who oversaw the hotel's service said: "We need to unite today and let those who have been affected by this enormous tragedy - we need to let them know that God is still God and still in control and in spite of what has happened, in the final analysis, God will have the final say. We as people of faith we encourage people to keep pressing on."