Lesallan Bostron
Instructor: The Holy Spirit
September 11, 2026
Devotional In Remembrance: September 11, 2001
Lesallan Bostron
Instructor: The Holy Spirit
September 11, 2026
Devotional In Remembrance: September 11, 2001
Abstract:
This devotional reflects on the events of September 11, 2001, offering scriptural grounding, reflection, and practical responses for remembrance. It draws on Scripture (New International Version) and a verifiable historical source to situate the devotional in both faith and fact.
Devotional In Remembrance: September 11, 2001
I hold this morning gently with you. For many, September 11 is a day of raw memory, quiet grief, and questions that still ache. We remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the courage that rose in the midst of horror. The attacks of September 11, 2001, were acts of terrorism that caused immense suffering and loss; we name that harm honestly as we turn to faith for comfort and meaning (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, n.d.).
Scripture
Psalm 34:18 (New International Version) states, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (New International Version, 2011, Ps. 34:18). Matthew 5:4 (New International Version) declares, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (New International Version, 2011, Matt. 5:4).
Reflection
Remembering is holy work. Memory keeps names alive and refuses the erasure of pain. When we recall the faces, the stories, and the ordinary lives interrupted, we practice a sacred attentiveness that honors both loss and love. Grief is not a problem to fix but a presence to be held. In the years since that morning, many have learned that faith does not always answer every question. Instead, it offers a steadying presence: a God who sits with us in the dark, who hears our laments, and who walks with us through the long seasons of healing (New International Version, 2011).
Courage and compassion endure. Alongside sorrow we remember the first responders, neighbors, and strangers who ran toward danger, who gave blood, who opened their homes, and who held hands in waiting rooms. Their actions teach us that even in the worst of times, human kindness and sacrificial love remain possible (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, n.d.).
Response and Hope
Hold memories and hope together. Remembering faithfully is to let memory shape how we live now: to choose compassion over fear, to seek justice without dehumanizing others, and to build communities that protect the vulnerable. Act in ways that honor the lost. Small, steady acts—listening to someone who grieves, volunteering, advocating for peace and care for survivors—become living memorials. Our faith calls us not only to remember but to respond with mercy and justice.
Prayer
God of all comfort, we bring our memories and our wounds to you. For the lives taken and the families left to grieve, we ask your tender presence. For those who still carry trauma, bring healing. For those who acted with courage and compassion, bless and sustain them. Teach us to live in ways that honor the dignity of every person. Turn our sorrow into steadfast love and our fear into faithful action. Amen.
Practical Remembrance
- Name one person aloud you remember today and offer a moment of silence.
- Do one act of kindness in their honor—call a friend, donate to a relief organization, or volunteer locally.
- Light a candle or pause at a memorial to hold space for grief and gratitude.
May this day of remembrance deepen our compassion, steady our hope, and renew our commitment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
~Lesallan 💕✝️💕⚓
References:
New International Version. (2011). Holy Bible: New International Version. Zondervan. (Original work published 1978)
National September 11 Memorial & Museum. (n.d.). September 11, 2001: Overview. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://www.911memorial.org/learn/resources/remembering-911
