EXCLUSIVE: Rev. is calling on Americans to remember the extraordinary turn toward faith that followed the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to “turn back” to God as the nation marks 25 years since the day that changed the world forever.
” is a day Ill never forget,” Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritans Purse, told Fox News Digital.
“Its impossible to describe the tremendous amount of pain that I witnessed at Ground Zero in the aftermath. There were so many who were in shock and grieving,” he added. “It is still hard to fathom the depths of evil that caused so much destruction.”
As Americans commemorate a quarter-century since the attacks, Graham said his prayer is for America to rediscover her reliance on faith he witnessed in the aftermath.
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“As we observe the 25th anniversary of this day when our world changed forever, is that America will recognize our need for God like we did after 9/11,” Graham said. “Churches were full. People gathered to pray in public places.”
Graham also recalled his father, the late evangelist Rev. Billy Graham, addressing the country from Washington National Cathedral during a national day of prayer and remembrance following the attacks.
“Weve always needed God from the very beginning of this nation. But today we need Him especially,” Billy Graham said at the time, according to Grahams statement. “Were involved in a new kind of warfare. And we need the help of the Spirit of God.”
“Just as America needed the help of God then, we still need His help today,” Franklin Graham said.
Those themes are at the center of BGEAs new 30-minute program, “A Day That Changed Our Lives Forever,” hosted by Graham and featuring survivors reflecting on the attacks and the faith and hope they say emerged from the devastation.
Among them is Genelle Guzman-McMillan, the last person pulled alive from the World Trade Center rubble.
Guzman-McMillan spent 27 hours buried beneath the ruins, unable to move and unsure whether she would survive.
While trapped, she said she began thinking about her late mother and crying out to God for forgiveness and a second chance.
At one point, Guzman-McMillan said she could no longer endure it.
“God, are you listening to me? Please show me a sign,” she recalled saying. Then something happened she still cannot explain.
“And then someone grabbed me by my hand,” Guzman-McMillan says in the special. “He told me his name is Paul.”
She said Paul held her hand and reassured her.
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“Youre gonna be fine. Help is on the wa
