September 11 Security & National Day of Prayer

Central Family,

This week we have been reminded of that horrific day nearly ten years ago.  At 8:48 on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the United States had a date with evil! A Boeing bullet hits the bulls-eye of our nation’s economic heart, the Twin Towers; a Boeing bullet hits the bulls-eye of our nation’s military heart, the Pentagon. A Boeing bullet misses the bulls-eye of our nation’s political heart, but the heroism of this miss cost 45 lives

Some called the attack on September 11, 2011 “the second Pearl Harbor.” Not true! On December 7, 1941, the attack on a military installation came from the military of a known foreign foe. On September 11, 2001 innocent civilians under the control of unknown terrorists attacked innocent civilians. The hijacking of innocent people to kill innocent people is more than terrorism – it is evil. It was evil incarnate, evil of the most grandiose, grotesque kind, evil that just didn’t change New York’s skyline, but evil that changes our skies and the landscape of our lives.

For a few moments think  back to Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The ninth month and eleventh day – 911.  What was your first reaction?  What did you first do? Very quickly we realized the magnitude of what happened! We had been attacked – and soon we began to grieve and mourn the fatalities and casualties – as well as our own loss of innocence. For the first time in our history a special military operation occurred – SCATANA! SCATANA, a military operation meaning Security Control of Air Traffic and Navigation Aids. On September 11, 2001 the Federal Aviation Administration closed all the nations airports, for the first time in our history. All civilian airlines were immediately grounded.

I believe we are also called to practice a spiritual SCATANA. We are called to go back to the ground of our being, to return to the foundation of our lives. The date of 9/11 serves as an emergency call for a nation and a world that is in desperate trouble, a people that for too long has ignored the timeless and truthful Word of God. Could it be that for too long we have put our trust in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon?; symbols of economic security and military might. Even as we remember the horrific evil of September 11, 2001 we know that “heaven and earth will pass away” BUT that the Word of God will remain forever.

Tomorrow is the 60^th National Day of Prayer in our nation. In 1952 Harry S. Truman declared a National Day of Prayer and signed into law an annual observance. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation. Last year, all 50 governors signed similar proclamations.  Tomorrow I hope you will take time to pray in the spirit of President Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting and prayer” in 1863. The theme for the 60^th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer in United States is ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’ taken from Psalm 91:2.

I encourage you to join me at one or more of the following opportunities in our community;

1.       National Day of Prayer Breakfast from 7:00 – 7:45AM at Central Lutheran. Area pastors will lead in prayer for the Mayor, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Sheriff and Superintendent of Schools.

2.       Noon gathering at the Flag pole at the Sherburne County Court House.

3.       Evening Prayer service at River of Life from 7:00 – 8:30PM.

On behalf of the Elk River Ministerial the honor or your presence is requested tomorrow as we gather to pray. Tomorrow is a day that transcends our differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds. May we gather knowing that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though mountains shake in the heart of the sea…though jets should crash…though buildings should crumble….though earthquakes and tornadoes visit and countless lives are lost……we know that nothing, neither life nor death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

See you tomorrow!

Paul

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