I remember I was playing Roller Coaster Tycoon the morning it happened.
I remember hearing dishes fall to the floor as my mother stood in the kitchen, speechless over what she watched on the TV. I remember asking lots of questions and not understanding the severity of what was happening. I remember thinking it was a movie. I remember being scared and running into the fold of my mother’s embrace.
But on Sept. 11, 2001, I also remember our family immediately bowed our heads in prayer for everyone involved in the 9/11 attacks, for this nation, and for our world.
14 years later I am amazed at how quickly many of us — including myself — have forgotten to pray for this nation and the world. Though trouble surrounds us just as much as it did then, many of us are silent, or worse, indignant.
In the last few years, amid new terrorist threats and passed legislation, I’ve heard many Christians say, “this nation is going to hell in a handbasket.” When I hear these kinds of statements I cannot help but acknowledge that yes, these do remain dark and difficult times for the United States, especially for Christians. And yet at the same time, I am convicted because in my heart I know that if this nation is going to hell, as many say it is, then what are we doing to stop it from getting there?
We can complain about our nation’s circumstances, but if we lack faith or fail to pray, we are of no good because we are not contributing to a solution.
Friends, let us not forget the power of prayer. On this day, Sept. 11, 2015, may we remember to pray fervently for this great nation and our world. Always. Let us remember that we have the power of the Holy Spirit, who is on our side. Always. Let us remember to be the loving hands and feet of Jesus Christ that we are called to be. Always.
And let us not forget that God is in control. Ask God to intercede on behalf of this nation. Ask God to turn hearts back to Him. Ask God to bring peace where there is chaos and love where there is hate. Ask God to strengthen our churches, families and friendships. Ask God to continue to help us become more like Jesus.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 (NIV)
We do not even realize how merciful God has been to this country. And I wholeheartedly agree – how much am I doing to stop this world from going to hell? If I don’t remind myself of God’s mercy and deliverance over and over, then in one sense I actually do forget Who is ultimately in control, Who has given us our freedoms all along, and
Who can save our children and grandchildren and our nation. Only God can! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this very timely word, Lauren! I heard a commentator say that 9/11 was for this generation what Pearl Harbor was for the previous generation. I think we all recall where we were and what we were doing. I was working on our church staff in Ohio and we were aware one plane had been over Ohio airspace (Flight 93). Most of us went to the Prayer Chapel and immediately went into prayer. Our churches were filled for a number of weeks immediately afterward and it seemed the Lord had awakened His people, but all too soon everything seemed to slip back to where it had been. Your word is sound and right and I pray the body of Christ will not need another crises to bring us to our knees in prayer.
Yes! I join you in this prayer. Blessings to you Pam. 🙂
Lauren…What a humbling reminder that just because the immediate event has passed doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to be on our knees for our country and countrymen. I remember, like you, gathering our family together and praying. Thank you for bringing to mind the importance of always be praying for our nation.
Thank you Naomi! Have a wonderful Monday!
Prayer is putting our faith into action. What a touching reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and that we are Jesus’s hands and feet. Thanks for sharing.