Remembering 9/11, But Forgetting God

In a few days, Americans all over our country will be commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11. In the emotional aftermath of that day, people flocked to religious services like never before, responding to calls for prayer throughout the Nations’ churches, including one at Yankee Stadium attended by thousands. But within a year, church attendance had returned to pre-attack numbers. And now, ten years later, religious apathy is again the norm.

Last week it was announced that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had decided not to invite clergy of any faith to commemorate the anniversary Sunday at Ground Zero. As of yesterday, his decision remains unchanged despite a letter signed by thousands of Americans urging the Mayor to change his mind.

Here we are commemorating an event that brought the nation closer to God through prayer, but ten years later, in the City where it happened, a prayerless event. So what is going on here? You already know the answer. When things are going bad people turn to God to try to get right with Him.  They go back to church.  But when things pass, they forget and drift away.  Only God knows what it is going to take to bring our Nation to a lasting repentance and genuine return to Jesus.