I prepared this as part of a radio broadcast for Sunday 16th of September 2001 the end of a week which has seen one of the most horrific events in human history.

President Bush called it the first war of the 21st Century.

Who can forget those images of jet liners crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Centres and less than an hour later the buildings crashing to the ground with 1,000’s of people still trapped inside and 100’s of rescue workers on the ground below.

Our invitation this evening is for you to join with us for a time of reflection and prayer for those who have lost loved ones and for those who cling to the hope of news of  relatives and friends who are missing.

Let me share with you an e-mail that I received from one American Pastor the day following the attacks on New York and Washington.

Dear Kevin,

The terrorist attacks on America demand that you and I respond with the most potent weapon in our spiritual arsenal – PRAYER.

I stand with America and every blood bought Christian to condemn the terrorist actions of the craven cowards who attacked and killed innocent men, women and children.

But at the same time, I call upon you to join me right now in prayer for my nation, President, leadership and the survivors and families of victims.

I am calling on all friends to pray.

The Bible says in 2 Samuel  22 verses 2 & 3

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour – from violent men you save me.
 
He signed off. Our God will save us and see us through.
 
September 11th 2001 is a day that none of us will forget and it’s with great sadness that I ponder the events of the day.

I was home I’d been away working last weekend in Kent and had a busy day on Monday and had marked down Tuesday as a quiet day to spend at home after my work here at Swansea Sound. In fact my wife Rosie and I after lunch sat down to watch a video before I went to pick up the children from school.  It was my mother who called to tell us to watch the news – I watched along with others in disbelief – Sky News  BBC ITV  Ch 5 CNN CNBC all showing the same incredible pictures of passenger jets crashing into New York’s World Trade Centre.

Later that afternoon we all gathered back at Swansea Sound to prepare for Wednesday morning’s Breakfast Show knowing that the programme would be as never before.

All were making calls to contacts in the States – I finally got through to my friend and best man Steve Brown in Florida.

Steve and I were at the Elim Bible College together and Steve is now part of the ministry team at Carpenter’s Home Church in Lakeland Florida.

He was stunned like all in America , all in the world. Already he’s heard of a miraculous story of a man who had a meeting planned at the World Trade Centre that morning. The meeting would have put him in the building at around the time the terrorists struck, however, he decided to stay at his office and make a conference call to WTC instead.

We all stayed together and watched the TV coverage in the Swansea Sound news room. Just as I finally thought I was becoming immune to the horror of watching the second Jet crash into the tower – they’d find another video tape taken from another angle and it just seemed to look even more horrific.

I’m a Christian – I’ve known Jesus as my Saviour, King and friend for 26 years. I found Salvation at the age of 14 and can tell the whole world that God longs to reach out to the broken hearted.

There is not one person involved in this tragedy that he doesn’t know and care for and love. He knows the pain and heart ache that those who are bereaved are going through because he once watched his only son die.

He watched the body of his son Jesus being placed in a tomb and saw the entrance of the tomb blocked by a huge boulder.

But Jesus rose from the grave and is alive to day and reaching out to the broken hearted all over the world and is bringing forgiveness joy, healing and repairing the broken lives of all who come to him.

Let’s pray.

Father God – I praise you that in the midst of our confusion you are wisdom …. In the midst of our weakness you are strength …… You bring light into every dark place for in you there is no darkness at all.

Lord help us all and those are the leaders of those nations that stand for freedom and democracy stay connected to you that we may operate in your wisdom and power.

Lord you are our refuge and strength and though there is chaos all around keep us focused on you and your Goodness.


Lord your word declares in 2 Chron 7 14

‘If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’

Lord we humble our hearts before you today. We seek your face and turn from our sinful and worldly preoccupations. Thank you for your promise to hear us when we call on you. Hear us now Father. Forgive us and heal our land.

Amen.

GODBLESS AMERICA.