On September 11, 2001, our nation experienced a tragedy that reshaped the American soul. Nearly 3,000 lives were taken in those cowardice terrorist attacks carried out by Al-Qaeda. They are a violent group of Muslim extremists of pure evil, responsible for bringing suffering, fear and loss of life around the world.

In the days that followed this horrific set of events, churches filled, communities united, and patriotism surged with a renewed sense of humility and dependence on God. But twenty-five years later, a sobering question arises: Have we forgotten?

We promised, "We will never forget." Our hearts intent was to vow to remember the heroes — firefighters, police officers, EMT's and ordinary citizens who ran toward danger instead of away from it. A vow to never forget the sacrifice of those living the daily life of a free country. Going to work, taking the kids to childcare, flying to see family and even calling loved ones as the planes were crashing.

We vowed to honor the families who lost loved ones, the children who grew up without parents and the survivors who still carry invisible scars. Yet time has a way of softening memories, and comfort has a way of dulling convictions.

Scripture reminds us repeatedly of the danger of forgetting. In Deuteronomy 4:9, God warns His people: “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen.” Forgetting is not a passive act. Forgetting is a spiritual drift. It happens when gratitude fades, when vigilance weakens and when blessings become assumed rather than acknowledged.

In the aftermath of 9/11, churches saw record attendance. Prayer was not an afterthought; it was a lifeline. Neighbors checked on one another. Flags waved from porches, businesses and schoolyards. We were not Democrats or Republicans — we were Americans. More importantly, many rediscovered their identity as children of God, dependent on His mercy and strength.

But today, division often overshadows unity. Outrage drowns out compassion. Chaos replaces commitment. And prayer, for many, has returned to being an emergency tool rather than a daily practice. Have we forgotten the lessons that tragedy taught us? Have we forgotten the frailty and preciousness of life, the value of community and the necessity of faith?

The call of remembrance is not merely patriotic — it is spiritual. Psalm 78 recounts generation after generation forgetting God’s works, and with each lapse came decline, fear and instability. Remembering anchors us. It keeps us humble. It keeps us grateful. It keeps us aware that freedom is fragile, life is precious and faith is essential.

As we honor the memory of 9/11, let us recommit ourselves to what truly matters. Let us teach our children not only the history of that day but the heart behind it — courage, sacrifice, unity and faith. Let us pray for the families who still grieve. Let us support the first responders who continue to serve. And let us seek God with the same urgency we once did when the world felt like it was falling apart.

May we never forget the lives lost. May we never forget the heroes. And above all, may we never forget our God who carried us through.