Twenty-five years ago, America experienced one of the darkest days in our history: September 11, 2001. For those of us old enough to remember it, we can probably remember exactly where we were when we heard the news.
We watched in disbelief as planes struck the World Trade Center. We watched smoke rise from the Pentagon. We learned about the courageous passengers and crew aboard Flight 93. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost. Families were forever changed. Our nation was shaken.
But something else happened in the days that followed. America came together. For a brief moment, many of the things that normally divided us seemed far less important. Republicans and Democrats stood together. Members of Congress gathered on the steps of the United States Capitol and sang, “God Bless America.” Churches filled with people. People who hadn't prayed in years were praying. People were asking others to pray for them. Communities gathered for candlelight vigils. Strangers helped strangers. First responders ran toward danger while everyone else was trying to escape it. Americans put flags outside their homes and businesses. We were reminded that, despite all our differences, there was still something that bound us together.
Twenty-five years later, I wonder if one of the ways we can honor those who lost their lives on September 11 is by remembering not only what happened to us, but also what happened within us. For a season, we remembered that we needed one another.
We Have Forgotten How to Disagree
Today, we are deeply divided: Politically, culturally, socially, and even spiritually.
Having different perspectives isn't the problem. In a free country, disagreement is inevitable and even healthy. The problem comes when disagreement becomes contempt. When someone who votes differently from us is no longer simply someone with a different perspective—they become our enemy.
- When we stop listening
- When we assume motives
- When we attack character
- When winning becomes more important than loving
- When being right becomes more important than being Christlike
Scripture gives followers of Jesus a different way. Paul writes, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority.” 1 Timothy 2:1–2
Notice what Paul doesn't say: Pray for leaders you voted for. Pray for leaders you agree with. Pray for leaders from your political party. He simply says, “Pray for those in authority.” That means Christians should be able to disagree with a leader and still pray for that leader.
We can challenge policies while respecting people. We can participate in the political process without allowing politics to determine how we treat one another. We can hold strong convictions without becoming hateful. Our allegiance to Jesus must always be greater than our allegiance to a political party.
Pray Before You Post
Maybe one of the most practical things Christians can do for our country right now is simple: Pray more than we criticize.
- It is easy to criticize Washington
- It is easy to criticize the president
- It is easy to criticize Congress
- It is easy to criticize the other political party
- It is easy to post our frustration on social media
But Scripture calls us to something harder.
Pray: Pray for wisdom, pray for humility, pray for courage, pray for integrity, pray that our leaders will make decisions that protect people and promote what is good. And pray this whether the person in office has an R or a D beside their name.
Imagine what might happen if Christians spent as much time praying for our leaders as we spend talking about them.
Unity Does Not Require Uniformity
One of the lessons we should remember from September 11 is that people do not have to agree about everything to stand together around what matters most. Unity is not uniformity. Unity does not mean surrendering our convictions. It does not mean pretending significant differences don't exist. It means refusing to allow those differences to turn neighbors into enemies.
Jesus prayed for His followers: “That all of them may be one.” John 17:21
Paul wrote, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
Notice the phrase: “As far as it depends on you.”
I cannot control how everyone else behaves, I cannot control Washington, I cannot control the media, I cannot control social media, I cannot control another person's attitude, but I can control mine.
- I can choose humility
- I can choose respect
- I can choose kindness
- I can choose prayer
- I can choose to listen before responding
- I can disagree without demonizing
And I can remember that the person standing across the political divide from me is still someone created in the image of God.
The Greatest Threat May Not Come from Outside
There is a warning often repeated about nations: A nation that cannot be defeated from the outside can eventually destroy itself from within. Whether or not we know the original source of that statement, the principle behind it deserves our attention.
Jesus said something even more important: “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25
Those words were not spoken specifically about America or politics, but the principle is impossible to ignore. A divided house becomes a weakened house. When contempt replaces conversation, we weaken ourselves. When political opponents become personal enemies, we weaken ourselves. When we care more about defeating one another than understanding one another, we weaken ourselves.
When Christians begin looking more like the political culture around us than the Jesus we claim to follow, something has gone terribly wrong.
The answer is not that everyone needs to think alike. The answer is that we must learn again how to love one another while thinking differently.
What If We Didn't Need Another Tragedy?
This may be the question that haunts me most when I remember September 11. Why does it take tragedy to bring us together? Why does it take planes flying into buildings for us to remember that we are neighbors? Why does it take thousands of lives being lost for us to pray? Why does it take a national crisis for political leaders to stand together? Why does it take tragedy for churches to fill? Why does it take disaster for us to remember how much we need God and one another?
What if we didn't need another September 11 to remind us? What if we chose now? What if Christians led the way? Not by abandoning our convictions. Not by remaining silent about what matters. Not by withdrawing from the public square. But by demonstrating something increasingly rare:
- Conviction without contempt
- Courage without hatred
- Disagreement without division
- Truth spoken with grace
- Leadership covered in prayer
Remember—and Pray
So today, we remember. We remember those who died. We remember the families who still carry their loss. We remember the firefighters, police officers, first responders, military personnel, and ordinary citizens who demonstrated extraordinary courage.
But let's remember something else. Let's remember those days afterward when Americans stood together. When Congress sang together. When communities prayed together. When churches filled. When neighbors checked on neighbors. When our differences suddenly seemed smaller. And then let's ask God to do something in us.
Lord, begin with me. Make me slower to anger. Make me quicker to listen. Help me pray for leaders I disagree with. Help me see people before I see political labels. Give me courage to stand for truth without losing love. Give our leaders wisdom. Give our churches humility. Give our communities compassion. And bring healing where division has taken root.
We should never forget September 11. But perhaps one of the best ways to honor the memory of that day is to remember that we do not have to agree on everything to pray for one another, care for one another, and stand together.
America does not need Christians contributing more anger to an already angry culture.
America needs Christians who will pray. Christians who will love. Christians who will listen. Christians who will stand for truth. And Christians who will show a divided nation that because of Jesus, we can disagree without becoming enemies.
May God give wisdom to our leaders. May God bring healing to our divisions. May God help His Church lead the way. And may God bless America.