Are you remembering 9/11 as if it were yesterday? That morning, my scurrying to clean the kitchen and get ready for a busy day abruptly stopped. Happy living tips and commercials shattered by breaking news. Remember 9/11 … never forget!
Smoke poured from the first tower of the World Trade Center.
Running upstairs, I shouted to Keith, “Wake up! We’re being attacked!” He taught an hour away that night and had come home after 11 p.m.
We hurried downstairs. A second aircraft crashed into the other tower.
Moments later, a third plane crashed into the Pentagon.
Terrorists detonated 1,200 pounds of explosives in the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center.
The Twin Towers collapsed. Four thousand tons of devastation.
Dazed men and women covered with ash and debris dazedly walked from the towers, eyes straight ahead, not looking to the right or left, up or down. First responders ran towards the collapsed towers.
Passengers on Flight 93 called their families to say goodbye. Then they tried to overcome the terrorists. The plane crashed killing the 40 passengers and crew in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The plane was on its way to crash into the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
Almost 3,000 people lost their lives that day. And the nation was in shock. Still more suffer from the longterm effects of that day. First responders from fire departments, police, military, ambulance crews, and more. Survivors. Families. Friends. America.
Pastors and volunteers flocked to New York City to minister to the brokenhearted. They shared God’s love and compassion with the people.
America turned to the Lord for a time. And God, in His mercy, responded with compassion.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
(Psalm 34:18 ESV)
Remembering Can Lead to Hope
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.“
(President George W. Bush, September 11, 2001)
Twenty-five years later, it seems that America has lost its way. Rumblings of a revival among Gen Z men and women offer us hope.
Through the Bible, God gives promise after promise. To individuals and to nations.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)
If God’s people … Are you God’s person?
Will humble themselves. Let’s admit we need God and humble ourselves.
Pray and seek God’s face. Will you pray with me for America and fervently draw nearer to God?
Turn from our wicked ways. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your hidden sins. Ask for forgiveness. Let’s redirect our walk towards God’s way.
God’s Promise!
God will hear from heaven. He will forgive. He will heal our land!
Let us remember 9/11 and call upon the name of the Lord to heal our land.
“I [Jesus] have told you [His disciples] these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
(John 16:33 CSB)
Our Father in heaven, we cry out to You, for You are a merciful and loving God. Lord, we acknowledge that we have sinned against You. Show us our hidden sins, so that we can confess them and turn from them. Forgive us, Lord. Help us seek You more fervently. Bring revival and an awakening in America. We want to honor You and glorify Your name in all of America. Give us courage and pour out Your peace that passes all understanding. You reign above all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Remember 9/11 … Never Forget!
Related Links
September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks
Pastor Gerry Brown Remembers 9/11
Featured photo courtesy of Pexels