As the United States approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Rev. Franklin Graham is calling on Americans to turn back to God and rediscover the national spirit of faith that emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy.
"September 11 is a day I’ll never forget," Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse, told Fox News Digital. "It is still hard to fathom the depths of evil that caused so much destruction."
Graham recalled the profound sense of community and prayer that characterized the nation in the days following the attacks. "Churches were full. People gathered to pray in public places," he said. He also remembered his father, the late evangelist Rev. Billy Graham, speaking at a national day of prayer and remembrance, stating, "We’ve always needed God from the very beginning of this nation. But today we need Him especially."
"Just as America needed the help of God then, we still need His help today," Franklin Graham emphasized.
These reflections are central to BGEA’s new 30-minute program, "A Day That Changed Our Lives Forever," which features survivors sharing their experiences and the role faith played in their lives.
Among those featured is Genelle Guzman-McMillan, identified as the last person pulled alive from the World Trade Center rubble. She recounted spending 27 hours trapped, during which she cried out to God. Guzman-McMillan described a mysterious man named Paul who held her hand and assured her that help was on the way, an encounter she believes was divine intervention. "I found Jesus that day," she said.
The program also includes the story of Sujo John, who was in the North Tower of the World Trade Center while his pregnant wife was in the South Tower. After escaping, he feared the worst until his wife called, having been delayed from work by mere minutes. Both survived the attacks.
Graham recounted his own experiences in New York City after the attacks, where he witnessed families searching for loved ones and began organizing pastors to offer comfort and prayer. This response eventually led to the formation of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, now an international network of crisis-trained chaplains.
As the nation prepares to mark the 25th anniversary, Graham’s prayer remains focused on spiritual renewal. "My prayer for our nation is that we will turn back to the God of Heaven who has brought us to this day and sustained us every step of the way."