What a powerful prayer for this day from my friend Chad Prather
Pray with me
September 11, 2026
Heavenly Father,
Today we remember.
Your Word tells us that there is “a time to weep, and a time to mourn” (Ecclesiastes 3:4), and so we refuse to rush past the sorrow of September 11.
We remember the lives that were taken. We remember the families who received phone calls that changed everything. We remember firefighters climbing stairs while others were running down. We remember police officers, first responders, service members, and ordinary citizens who chose courage when fear was everywhere.
Lord, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). You were present in the smoke. You were present in the rubble. You were present in the hospitals, the firehouses, the churches, and the homes where people fell to their knees and cried out to You.
Comfort those who still carry the wounds of that day. Be near to those who lost husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends. Your Word says that You are “near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). Draw near again today.
And Lord, help us remember more than tragedy.
Help us remember courage.
Help us remember sacrifice.
Help us remember the preciousness of life.
Help us remember how quickly tomorrow can become today, and how urgently we need to love one another, forgive one another, and walk faithfully before You.
Guard our nation. Give wisdom to those entrusted with its protection. Strengthen those who run toward danger on behalf of strangers. Teach us to pursue justice without surrendering to hatred, courage without arrogance, and vigilance without fear.
Above all, turn our hearts toward Christ.
Remind us that buildings fall, nations shake, and life is a vapor, but Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. Our ultimate hope is not found in our strength, our security, or even our nation. Our hope is found in the risen Savior who conquered sin and death.
So today we grieve, but not without hope.
We remember those who died.
We honor those who served.
We pray for those who still mourn.
We give thanks for those who sacrificed.
And we ask You to make us people worthy of the freedoms and responsibilities we have inherited.
Lord, let us never forget.
Not so that we may live in hatred, but so that we may live with gratitude.
Not so that we may remain trapped in yesterday, but so that we may walk wisely tomorrow.
Not so that fear would rule us, but so that faithfulness would.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
May we number them well.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.