This Sunday is the 10th anniversary of 9/11. All of us remember where we were that unfathomable day for in that moment, life changed. No longer were we immune from the wars "overseas." We discovered that we are not always "safe" simply living in the most affluent nation in the world. We realized that we had an enemy who targeted even innocent people. We all became acutely aware that life could be altered in an instant. So, how do we respond as we approach this anniversary date?
 
First of all, pray. Let's turn to our Sovereign God for strength and help in this time. Psalm 91:1-2 says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”
 

1. Pray for all those directly impacted that day as well as for their families. Pray for the children growing up without parents as well as for the parents growing up without children. Anniversaries of a loss are gut-wrenching, and the 10th will be especially difficult for friends and families. Pray for God's strength and comfort.
2. Pray for the "heros" – those who volunteered to help and everyone who gave. Thank God for the way our country came together, for leadership and everyday people who dropped everything to serve. In the darkest hour is where our God shines the brightest. God stepped into the darkness as the Light of the World, and His Light shines through His people. Pray for His Spirit to permeate our lives every day as we hold out the Light of Life.
3. Pray for peace. Pray that Satan would not get a foothold in our lives and in our country. Pray that hatred would not be bred in our hearts toward any, but God will bring peace in the midst of tragedy – peace in our hearts and peace in a world of deep need.

Secondly, hope. So many times, the problems of the world seem overwhelming. Can there really be peace? Will we always be at war? As Christians, we never lose hope. Hope that God can and will change lives for His glory. God is working in all parts of the world. We must be people who always believe that the best is yet to come. One day there will be peace – everlasting peace. However, until that day comes, we hold out the Word of Truth and invite people to Jesus. Hope allows us to offer hands of peace to both the injured and our enemies. As 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says, "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." Never lose hope in a God who specializes in redeeming and restoring, a God who says, "I am making all things new." Let's ask God to use us to point people to the hope and redemption found in Christ and Christ alone!
 
Finally, trust. God is still sovereign over all creation. Our God is greater, He is stronger, and He is mightier than the enemies we face in this world. Let not this impending anniversary lead us to fear, but let us resolve to be people of faith. Our trust for peace and protection in this world is in the Lord. Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God." We live in a fallen world, but God is our Rock and our Redeemer. We do not have to live in fear, but by God's grace we live by faith. 
 
Church, I love you. I know God has called us and allowed us to live during this crucial time in history. May He find us faithful. May He find us praying, hoping and trusting that God will do what only God can do - bring life out of our deepest tragedy. May He find us active during our time – active in offering peace, active in sharing the Good News of Grace, and active in loving all those around us. Now is not the time to retreat in fear, but for us, as believers, to stand together united in Christ. Godspeed as 9/11/11 approaches. May He find us faithful!

Jeff Simmons, Pastor

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