Remembering 9-11

by Karen S. Roberts
Today two other people and I talked about where we were when we heard about the tragedy of 9-11. I shared with them that I was working at the Salvation Army, getting ready for the arrival of children at our after-school program.  When the receptionist received a call about what was happening, our first reaction was one of unbelief.  But soon the Captain brought in a TV and we watched in horror as there was replay after replay of the fall of the towers and more and more reports.  We began to pray.

Soon after, “Ground Zero” became a common term.  People started showing up in churches to pray.

One of my strongest memories of that day and the days that followed was the movement across the country of people praying together.  People were gathering everywhere, including there at the Salvation Army corps where I worked.  I was especially impacted seeing the members of Congress standing together and singing “God Bless America.”  Political differences were laid aside.  There was unity in the sung prayer, and it gave me hope that the 9-11 tragedy would result in a move toward God across our country.

This video contains a clip of Congress calling on God in song on 9-11.

Now over a decade has passed, and for the most part people have forgotten or rejected the need to come together to pray for God’s blessing and protection upon our nation.  There is even more political posturing and division than there ever was.  I would never wish for such a tragedy to reoccur in our nation, but I do long to see the day when our government leaders would sincerely join together again to pray and sing “God Bless America” in unity.

As we watch the following videos that bring memories of our need for God during 9-11, let’s lift up prayers for our nation.  Let’s remember God’s words to His followers in 2 Chronicles 7:14.  “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.” (NKJ)  Our nation still needs God!

The moving words of Billy Graham during the days following 9/11 still speak to us today. Let’s pray for our government leaders who want to hinder public prayer. Let’s remember that in the midst of that trying time for our nation, thousands called on God and prayed together.

Save