Here’s what you should do:
Recognize it
Even if you don’t have something planned yet, prayerfully consider taking time to remember this historic—and tragic—event in your service. Give your people biblical encouragement as they wrestle with the emotions and questions they have about that day. You don’t have to have all the answers, but you can help guide your community with the comfort, hope, and faith we have in a risen Lord—in the midst of suffering and evil. You may have something elaborate planned—or a small and meaningful time of prayer and teaching—but make sure to address it.
Pray with confidence
Use the anniversary of 9/11 as a teaching and prayer time. Pray for those who are suffering today because they’ve lost loved ones. Pray for our country and its leaders. Pray for our enemies—the terrorists still seeking to kill and destroy us in the name of their god. Whatever you do to remember—make sure you wrap it in prayer. Also, be careful not to pray with ambivalence or lack of confidence. Don’t go soft on this one. Remember, you’re a leader—inspire your people with the hope we have in Christ in the midst of dark times. Pray with boldness.
Clarify the events for young children
Don’t forget, it’s likely that you’ll have children and young teens who know about the event, but they might not grasp the whole story. Make sure you give a short recap about the events that happened that day and encourage young leaders to respond to this event in faith—remembering the sovereignty of God in a tumultuous world.
Honor community servants and remember those who gave their lives
It’s right and good to remember those who lost their lives and to honor those who served that day and serve us still—whether in New York or in your community. Take time to express your thanks as a church to those who serve the community. Pray for them. Also, use the time to point to Christ—the ultimate servant who gave his life for all of us so that we could live.
Provide encouragement for people to respond to the gospel
One of the most powerful passages I’ve used to encourage people on past anniversaries of 9/11 is found in Luke 13. In it, Jesus speaks directly to a group of people about the issue of sin and judgment. In Jesus’ day, the people held a belief that if something tragic happened to you, it must be because you were wicked and deserved it. Jesus answers their unspoken belief by talking about a tower that fell in Siloam and killed eighteen people. He says, “Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Jesus deflected their questions about the “why” and guided them to the more important question of personal repentance. At the end of the chapter, Luke gives a portrait of Jesus—both sorrowful and compassionate—longing to gather those in Jerusalem.
The bottom line: The events of 9/11, in many ways, are beyond our understanding—but the grace of God is still present, and the main message we still herald as church leaders is this: Today is the day of salvation.
