September 11, 2001: A Response to the Terrorist Attack

Article about Sowing Seeds of Faith and Internet Ministry

“September 11, 2001: A Response" Part 2

Did you see the tears of Americans?

I thought I heard you crying with the country.

You were with us yesterday and today

when we move through the debris waking from a terrible dream.

(from “One Nation Under God” by Kirsten Porter)

Speaking of grade school, an elementary school student wrote shortly after the terrorist attack: “Dear God: We hope there will be no war and no more plane crashes because we don’t want anybody to get hurt again! God bless America.” How do we respond? Do we turn the other cheek? Do we strike back with all the fury America can deliver? What would God have us do… as Christians…. as Americans?

Mayor Guiliani is on the screen his face is drawn like a dark curtain;

his shaking hand is squeezed by another leader and he speaks sadly but proudly.

Insists we go back to life. Live as normal as possible.

Eat at restaurants, drink coffee at cafes… talk, walk the streets holding hands

but also pray, give blood, pull the last of the living from the rubble.

USA Today Photo

Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, “But I say, don’t resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too.” (5:39) As my email friend wrote last week: “Petty blunt!” Maybe, Jesus is just talking about a personal confrontation. Right? He’s not talking about our country refusing to go after deadly terrorists! Is he? Maybe but what Jesus may be more concerned about is our attitude.

God you are with us today and I need to feel you remember

God, this happened in my America

but so did the saving, the prayer services, the candlelight vigils,

the long line to donate blood, the officers giving their lives.

You were with us yesterday.

Maybe the real answer is found later on in the same message from Jesus in Chapter seven:

Stop Judging Others… (1-5) Do not judge people of Arab descent based on the terrorists.
Don’t give what is holy to unholy people… (6) Be Realistic. We really are fighting a war.
Keep on asking and you will be given what you ask for… (7-11) Ask God’s guidance first.
Do for others what you would like them to do for you… (12) Seek justice not revenge.
Enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate… (13-14) There are no easy answers. Fighting this war will take time, persistence, patience and much courage…

God, you are with us today and I need to feel you remember

the saving in my America

because my dad said this is a crazy world and I'm only 22, God

learning to put trust in a world I can't always trust

so for now I'll put my trust in you and my trust in America

because this is still my America my waving flag of the stars and stripes,

my promised freedom.

Four weeks ago you would think me crazy but here is what you should do. Look for coworkers, friends or even strangers and sincerely ask them: “How are you doing, really? Can I pray for you?” First thing in the morning, ask your fellow workers or students to join you in a prayer group. Pray for each other. Pray for guidance. Pray for our leaders. Pray for the terrorists. Most of all… pray for our country. Four weeks ago, you would have thought I was crazy but today… things change. Things really change!

God I see you so clearly today. You are holding my America;

crying for my America; opening your hands.

You set my America free because we are ready to fly on our own

because God was with us yesterday and God lives in America today.

Read the whole poem "One Nation Under God" by Kirsten Porter

For a moving tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 tragedy featuring the song, "I Can't Cry Hard Enough." Click here

Do you want to join us in prayer for our country? Do you need prayer? Click Here.

Last weeks Devotion: September 11, 2001: A Day of Terror

Last modified September 27, 2001.

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