story7051.xml

story7051.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-13

The staff television was on in the lobby of the secretary's office at my church. I had arrived early, and two or three of us were watching the television while we waited for the other ladies to arrive.

When the news flash was shown, I thought that a very tragic accident had occured, but when I saw the second plane flying directly into the second building, I knew that we were under attack. We dropped to our knees and began to pray. We asked God all the questions that came to our mind; "Who? Why? What next?" and of course, we were praying for the occupants of those buildings. There was no question for us that the people in the planes had been immediately killed.

The Ladies Bible Study turned into a prayer meeting around that television. Our pastor and the other staff memebers joined us. We did open our Bible's to read Scripture as someone recalled specific passages that came to mind. In our minds and hearts, there was no doubt that God was there, and that He knew that this would occur even before it entered into the minds of the evil ones who committed the act. We could not begin to understand His purpose in allowing it to happen, but in faith we confessed, "God, we know that You are Sovereign; Your ways and thoughts are not ours, and they are beyond our understanding. We do know though, that You love us; You proved that by sacrificing Your Only Son for us: we know that Your plans and thoughts for us are only good, and not evil, and that You can and will bring good out of all this awfulness. Thank You for Your presence with those who are enduring such pain and grief, and with us who share their grief. Make us truly to know and do Your will in this hour."

Now, a year later, I have seen much good come from this. God has said that "If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and confess their sins, and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will answer their prayers and heal their land." (from my memory and not exact, but certainly close enough!) I have seen Christians renew their faith and courage, in the face of a moral and legal system that has gone beserk and forsaken the "old ways" of our nation's founding, that had left us by and large helpless and hopeless. Unbelievers, on 9-ll and since, have cried out to God, acknowledging Him as at least present, and perhaps in charge of the affairs of man. Personally, my beliefs as a Christian have become more consolidated and reaffirmed. I know without doubt that God is Sovereign and does rule over the affairs of man. I trust His love for us to be excellent, as evidenced by His sacrifice of His only Son, and I trust Him to be faithful to His Word and His promises. I am more determined than ever to be obedient to His directions. I believe that "the people who are call by His Name" are responsible for the condition of our land and are accountable to Him for it. I beleve that 9-ll certainly was a "wake-up" call for us to repent. I believe that the safety and welfare of our country rests directly on believers, their prayers and their dependence on God. I know that there should not be a day that passes that we should not pray for our nation's leaders, especially for our President, for wisdom and guidance from God to make right decisions, that will allow us to live in peace, and that will bring an open and peaceful society around the world. Only in a peaceful setting can we do the work He has given us to do.

One year later, my prayer is this:

"Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing our prayer and conducting our affairs. Forgive me individually for my sins; forgive our nation for forsaking Your way. Bring comfort to all those innocently bereaved because of this judgement on Your people. I especially pray for President George W. Bush today, for Your Presence in a mighty way in His heart. Be his strong right arm. Guide his advisors and our lawmakers in the right way. Bring us back into the "old way." Be our nation's only God and Savior. Protect us from the evil one. May Your people truly be "salt and light" in the midst of an idolatrous and wicked and perverse generation. We are assured of Your hearing and Your blessings only because of Jesus, in Whose blessed and beautiful Name we ask this. Amen!"

Geri Anderson