Christian Leaders Tweet, Blog Tributes on 9/11 Anniversary
Churches across the country are paying tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who died 10 years ago on Sept. 11. "We remember" is the phrase many are using as the nation mourns the tragic day of the terrorist attacks.
Pastors and Christian ministry leaders offered some brief reflections on the 10th anniversary of the attacks on their Twitter and blog pages. The following is a compilation of their statements.
"The legacy of 9/11...set aside self-interest and petty partisanship and pursues solutions for our common good."
– Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family
"Ten years later, Lady Liberty is still standing, holding high her torch of freedom for all. #weremember"
– Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, Atlanta
"I hope that our hearts and mind turn toward the Muslim world with longing, the kind of longing that brought Jesus to the cross."
– John Piper, pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis
"9/11 has made a lot of us reflect on the nature of our world, and I know many of us yearn to see Muslims brought to faith in Christ. This is not a political desire, nor one we desire to accomplish by power or the sword. We don’t believe we are better than Muslims; we believe that we are all guilty before God and that Christ died for us all. Through faith in His blood, the Muslim, as well as the Christian, can find peace with God and the full assurance of pardon from sin.
– J.D. Greear, pastor of Summit Church in Durham, N.C.
"Great tragedies are great opportunities for humanity connecting and getting to know one another. ... I’m very sad 9-11 happened, grateful for all I’ve learned and experienced as a result.
– Bob Roberts, senior pastor of NorthWood Church in Keller, Texas
"Jesus' sure word to me on 9/11: Do not be amazed that the towers fell. Be amazed that they didn't fall on you. (Luke 13:1-5)"
– John Piper
"God was in the precise place on #Sept11 that He was on the day before & the day after. He was on His throne..."
– R.C. Sproul, founder of Ligonier Ministries
"I suspect houses of worship across America will be packed this weekend, as they were the weekend after 9/11. In times of crisis we cry out to connect with our Creator. The urge is deep-seated and universal. The first words uttered by millions on Sept. 11, 2001, were, 'Oh, God!'"
– Rick Warren, founder and pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.
"Never forget."
– Greg Stier, founder and president of Dare 2 Share Ministries
"In our darkest hour we found unity. In our fear we found courage. In our grief we found perspective. Today we remember."
– North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga.