September 11, 2001 changed everything. Twenty years after the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center, it is still crucial to honor the victims and emergency workers and to understand the massive repercussions the event had on this country and the world. As the twentieth anniversary approaches, here are six practical ways to remember 9/11.
On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a memorial was dedicated at the World Trade Center in New York City. Three years later, a museum opened at the same site to commemorate 9/11 and educate visitors. There are also memorials at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania where one of the hijacked planes crashed.
If you are not near any of these sites, the museum in New York offers free online resources, such as interactive timelines that trace the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center, the September 11 attacks, and the recovery at Ground Zero. These timelines feature images, videos, and first-hand accounts, which make the tragic events more vivid and personal.
For some, 9/11 was a deeply personal trauma. People who were present at the crash sites still suffer physical and mental health effects twenty years later. Those who lost a parent, child, spouse, or other loved one experience the pain of 9/11 daily. We can pray for the well-being of these individuals, especially as we approach the tragedy’s twentieth anniversary. While 9/11 has marked their lives indelibly, we pray that God would safeguard their health and help them heal.
Moreover, let us also pray for peace more broadly. Acts of wanton violence, such as mass shootings in schools and synagogues or the recent terrorist attacks in Israel, continue to plague our world. Lasting peace will only come when Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, we are to be agents of peace and reconciliation, praying for the welfare of our communities.
Former President Bush’s address to Americans the evening of September 11, 2001 is a classic speech, one that many people recall watching when it was first broadcast twenty years ago. Whatever our opinions on Bush’s presidency or America’s long-term response to 9/11, this iconic speech mourns the victims, honors the emergency workers, and calls on Americans to unite.
Watching his address or reading the transcript helps us remember what this country felt and experienced in the immediate aftermath of 9/11—not only the shock and horror, but also the spirit of generosity and mutual support.
One basic yet powerful way to keep the memory of 9/11 alive is simply to talk about it with others. This could take the form of a face-to-face discussion, a phone call, or a thread on social media. For those who are old enough to remember, asking “Where were you on September 11, 2001?” is a simple strategy to start a conversation. What you hear may be surprising—we do not know what another person has experienced until we ask. For instance, some of our own Chosen People Ministries staff witnessed people in New York City covered in ash as they sought to escape the chaotic scene downtown.
However, not everyone knows where they were when the 9/11 attacks unfolded. Generation Z, roughly defined as those born after 1996, were either too young to remember or were not yet born. It is important that this generation commemorate 9/11 as well, an event that has drastically shaped the world in which they were raised. Including them in discussions on 9/11 is key to ensuring that remembrance continues in the decades to come.
Few things make one realize the magnitude of what happened better than hearing from people who were at the Twin Towers or the Pentagon during 9/11. The survivors, first responders, and grieving families were permanently changed. To listen to their stories, the 9/11 Memorial Museum created an online collection of interviews with people that the event directly affected. Moreover, Chosen People Ministries has created a video highlighting the experiences of three pastors who served in New York City during 9/11.
The 9/11 attacks have deeply affected our nation and the world, but these accounts remind us that it also caused immense suffering in the lives of individuals. Remembering 9/11 and learning from first-hand experiences assures those who personally endured this tragedy and their families that they have not been forgotten.
Another opportunity to listen to people directly affected by 9/11 is to attend our upcoming conference, 9/11 and the New Middle East. We will hear testimonies from first responders and people who lost loved ones during 9/11. Through worship and corporate prayer, we will honor those who died and proclaim that no act of evil will stop God’s purposes and plan for the redemption of the world.
In addition, biblical scholars and Middle East experts will help us better understand how 9/11 has changed the Middle East and what the Bible says about the region. The 9/11 attacks have had massive repercussions on the Middle East, such as increased American military presence and a deepened relationship between Israel and the United States. Our speakers will explain recent developments in the Middle East and how we can support the church there. Join us September 10–11, 2021 in person at Trinity Baptist Church in New York City or online.
The Middle East Twenty Years After 9/11