Today is 9/11, the day that we remember the attack on our nation, when many lost their lives, the ones who were in the buildings, planes, and the heroes who were trying to rescue those who were inside. This is a hard day for our nation, especially for the many who lost loved ones and friends that day. We need to be praying for those who lost friends and loved ones both on 9/11 and the war that followed it. This is especially important this year, because it has been twenty years since 9/11 and over the loss of control in Afghanistan. I think that we should pray for God to comfort them and carry them through this week as we remember the tragedies of the attacks of 9/11.

One thing I think we can learn from 9/11 is that the heroes of that day were the ones when everyone else was running out, they were running in, to get as many people out of the buildings as they could, this should be us as Christians to lead as many people to Jesus as possible. There were some of the heroes who went up and got multiple groups out before it collapsed and many of these heroes died still trying to rescue more. Christians should be the ones running into the hard places, the places where everyone else runs from, because we know that we have the gift of eternal life and that when people are going through hard times is when they look for answers to life’s questions. As Christians we should remember that time is short, we are not here for a long time and we should be the ones pointing to the exit. Jesus said that there’s only one way to heaven and that is through Him (John 14:6). Many thought that the World Trade Center would never fall, just like the people on the Titanic thought it would never sink. This is how many in the world think of death as something looming in the future that will never happen, when really it is staring us in the face every day. The terrorist who crashed into the World Trade Center whose goal was to kill, this is also Satan’s goal, to deceive as many as possible and take them with him (John 10:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). We have to be the ones telling the world Who made us, how He made us, why He made us and the gift He gave us, telling them how we can live with Him forever, because if we do not Satan will come and fill in those blanks with other things and deceive the World. We are called to be a light to all nations, a city on a hill (Matthew 28:19, Matthew 5:14-16). 

The majority of the people who were in the World Trade Center, especially on the upper floors and many rescuers, died that day. As we look around the world today we see a lot of death and sickness and the truth is everyone in the world will die, because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). But, the good news is that there is a Creator of the Universe, just like the World Trade Center had architects, designers, and builders, the earth and the universe has one and His name is God. He created everything both the seen and the unseen (Colossians 1:16). He made everything and everyone for a purpose and does not desire to see anyone perish, but for all to come to know Him (2 Peter 3:9). So in His infinite love and mercy, He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins, so that we could live with Him forever. So, we do not have to fear death when it comes, we do not have to fear it because just like Jesus we are raised with Him and given a new resurrected body that never dies (Romans 6:5, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Isaiah 25:8). By now you are probably thinking, how can I live forever with God? All you have to do is to admit that you are a sinner, believe that He died on the cross for your sins, and confess Him as Lord of your life.  

So, today and this week let’s remember what our calling is as Christians and share the gospel with everyone who will hear us and by all means possible. One great way you could do this is by sending this to a friend who would be encouraged by reading this. But, we also need to pray for the families and friends of the ones who lost loved ones on 9/11 and the families and friends of and the veterans themselves who served in the War on Terror. Let’s stop and pray for them right now. You can pray with me or you can pray in your own words. Father God I pray for the families and friends of the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11 and in the war that followed. I pray that You will comfort them today and carry them through as we remember this attack on America, Lord I pray for our country that You will not let America forget this day and keep it on the minds of the people who lead us, so that we will not be attacked again on our own soil. Lord, I lift up the families and ask that You take their grief and lighten their load and carry them through this day and week Amen.