[Editor’s Note: From September, this article continues to be relevant]
On the 20th anniversary of the coordinated terrorist attacks on America, our nation stands vulnerable, perhaps even more so than on that terrible day.
If you’ve watched the news the week of September 11th, you’ve seen the retelling of that solemn event when almost 3,000 people perished and hundreds more were wounded as four hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. In the years since then, 2,000 more were lost to 9/11 related illnesses stemming from working in hazardous conditions at ground zero.
This is one of the greatest disasters in our nation’s domestic history. As watchmen on the wall let us pray that nothing of this magnitude ever happens again in our nation.
Homeland Security and the FBI have warned law enforcement agencies that they should be on alert in the timeframe surrounding the 9/11 anniversary due to increased Al-Qaeda propaganda, though no specific threat has been noted.
Some agencies are preparing for an elevated threat environment. Officials point to recent events that could potentially spark a terrorist act like American troops pulling out of Afghanistan, the return of the Taliban in that country, and the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport.
BridgeBuilders is calling on Christians across the state and nation to pray for America this weekend and to remain vigilant in prayer in the days ahead.
Power is now back in the hands of the very terrorist organizations that perpetrated those 9/11 attacks. Four of Afghanistan’s new government leaders were actually part of the terrorist group that orchestrated the attacks.
On the FBI’s Most Wanted list with a reward of $10 million, another terrorist leader (Sirajuddin Haqqani) is now head of their Interior Ministry, making him the person in charge of who comes in and out of Afghanistan.
These terrorist groups are further empowered by $85 billion worth of military equipment left behind by the U.S. in their departure. The U.S. also left behind about 5,000 to 7,000 prisoners at the Bagram Air Base. These, which include some the Taliban’s most hardened fighters and senior Al-Qaeda operatives, are now free to reorganize.
Add to this scenario the thousands of Afghans entering our nation virtually unvetted and those who are streaming across our open southern border, also virtually unvetted, creating a humanitarian, health, and safety crisis. According to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, we’re at a 300%-plus increase of people coming across the border that have a previous criminal record.
All this is happening in a nation filled with unrest, deeply divided, where social and political factions are fighting each other, while at the same time radical terrorists like Al-Qaeda are inspiring domestic terrorism.
Our police forces are undermanned. Without support of the government and citizens, many officers are resigning, taking early retirement, and new recruits are not signing up. Crime is up in major cities 25 percent.
All of this leaves us weak and vulnerable to the rest of the world.
Ultimately this evil attack on our nation is inspired by spirits of darkness. It is futile to fight this kind of battle with natural weapons alone. The battle for this nation will be won in brokenness and prayer as we turn from our sins and seek the Lord with our whole hearts.
Praying for America on the Anniversary of 9/11:
– Lord, today we humble ourselves; we call upon You and seek Your face. Father, forgive our sins, hear our prayers, and come heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14)
– We stand in the gap today for every place where the walls are down in America. We cry out for Your mercy.
– We ask forgiveness for the sins of our nation’s leaders, past and present, and pray that they would turn to You and seek Your wisdom.
– We know that a house divided cannot stand (Mark 3:25). Lord, we ask that You would heal the social, racial, and political divides in our nation and that we would truly become one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
– Father, we ask for Your protection over our nation. Send forth Your angelic hosts to guard our bridges, tunnels, ports and airways. Guard over our water and food supplies, chemical plants, energy grids and pipelines. Protect our churches, schools, landmarks and government buildings. Give the Homeland Security, FBI, law enforcement, border agents, and sheriffs good tips and leads, successful strategies, and eyes to see potential danger.
– We declare Your word, that there is nothing covered that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be made known (Luke 12:2). Expose any hidden plots and evil plans before they can be carried out.
– Lord, we pray for a Great Spiritual Awakening to spread across our land, one that will bring millions to faith in Jesus Christ resulting in godly reform in every sphere of culture. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Sources:
Dann Cuellar, “Federal agencies issue warning as 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches,” ABC Action News, September 8, 2021.
Dom Calicchio, “Arizona Gov. Ducey: Biden DHS Chief Mayorkas ‘Divorced’ From Reality About Border Security,” Fox News, April 4, 2021.
www.cbsnews.com/pictures/911-attacks-photos-aftermath/
Info viewed on Fox News 9/8/2021.
[The mission of Cheryl and Hal Sacks, through BridgeBuilders, is to change the spiritual climate and transform culture through deploying strategic prayer in Arizona and the Nation, by mobilizing tens of thousands of people to invite God’s transforming presence into every sphere of cultural influence, guided by 2 Chronicles 7:14. Contact: info@bridgebuilders.net ]
Life Thoughts Today 