On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Charlotte, N.C., city leaders, local pastors, chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) and other invited guests gathered at the Billy Graham Library to pray and to remember the lives lost, the courage of first responders and the national unity in the days that followed the attacks.
Around the country, ceremonies and moments of silence were held to commemorate the terrorist attacks, which killed 2,977 people at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon and aboard United Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The Library event was hosted by the BG-RRT, which grew out of Franklin Graham’s desire to minister with the love and truth of Christ to New Yorkers suffering after 9/11. What began as a small prayer center in Manhattan has grown into a worldwide ministry that has responded to nearly 1,000 disasters and crises and has helped thousands put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Josh Smith, lead pastor of Lake Norman Vineyard Church, came to the event at the invitation of a friend. “For Christians across denominational lines to come together to pray for the country on an important day like 9/11 makes a lot of sense,” Smith said. “I think we need to be reinvigorated. … If we truly want to see the nation make a turn, bringing people back to Christ is truly the answer.”
Charlotte Interim Mayor Rob Harrington, Chief of Police Estella Patterson and Fire Chief Reginald Johnson all offered remarks.
Harrington reflected on the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, held three days after the 9/11 attacks, when Billy Graham addressed the nation from the Washington National Cathedral. “Let us remember Rev. Graham’s message that he shared 25 years ago that remains true to this day,” Harrington said. “We can face the hardest days imaginable, but God remains with us. He will forever be our solid foundation.”
Patterson, who has spoken at BG-RRT law enforcement retreats, led in prayer for law enforcement personnel: “Father, Your Word declares, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.’ Let us fulfill our duties as law enforcement with the highest measure of integrity, compassion, care, and respect for all people.”
Fire Chief Reginald Johnson followed. “Father God,” he prayed, “for the firefighters and EMTs that are on duty today and every day, that risk their lives on a daily basis, please watch over and protect them. Please watch over their families while they’re away from them. Give them the strength and the courage to do their job to make sure that our communities are safe.”
Jack Munday, who led the BG-RRT until his retirement in 2022, prayed for leaders in the federal government and also for pastors: “Give these leaders Your wisdom and the moral strength to do what is right and the courage to do it according to Your will, Lord, and according to the truth of Your Word.”
And Will Graham brought a message that explained what Christians must do in any time of calamity: call people to repentance.
“Today as we remember Sept. 11, we call people unto repentance,” Will said. “That’s what we do. That’s what God has called us to do. And may we never grow tired of it. … May God give us strength to tell people. It’s not a popular message. People don’t like it, but that’s what we’re called to do.”
