A quarter of a century ago, one of the darkest days in American history unfolded before the eyes of the world. On Sept. 11, 2001, coordinated terrorist attacks struck the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, claiming nearly 3,000 lives and forever changing countless families, communities and the nation.

In New York, the city was left reeling. Amid the smoke and rubble, first responders searched tirelessly for survivors while families waited desperately for word of missing loved ones.

As millions around the world watched in disbelief, Billy Graham turned to prayer. In his autobiography, Just As I Am, he later recalled those heartbreaking hours:

“Like most Americans on September 11, 2001, Ruth and I watched in horror as scene after appalling scene unfolded. … Then those final, horrific moments as the twin towers of the tallest building in the world collapsed into a tangled mass of twisted steel and burning rubble,” he wrote. “Repeatedly I paused to pray for the people of New York and Washington, and especially the President and our other leaders—not only for their safety but for wisdom in the days and months ahead.”

Leading in a time of crisis

The following day, President George W. Bush called for a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance on Sept. 14 and asked Billy Graham to share a message of hope with a grieving nation.

“The next thirty-six hours were among the most intense of my life, as I tried to keep track of developments while working diligently on multiple drafts of what I might say to bring comfort and encouragement to the nation,” the evangelist recalled.

On Friday, Sept. 14, at Washington National Cathedral, Billy Graham addressed the nation as he stood before the president, former presidents and other national leaders while millions more watched the service on television.

“No matter how hard we try, words simply cannot express the horror, the shock, and the revulsion we all feel over what took place in this nation on September 11. It will go down in our history as a day to remember,” Billy Graham said. “Yes, our nation has been attacked, buildings destroyed, lives lost. But now we have a choice: whether to implode and disintegrate emotionally and spiritually as a people and a nation; or whether we choose to become stronger through all of this struggle—to rebuild on a solid foundation. That foundation is our trust in God.”

A ministry born from tragedy

In the days following the attacks, Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, visited ground zero, where he witnessed the overwhelming grief of families, first responders and a city grappling with tremendous loss.

Seeing the deep emotional and spiritual needs of those who were hurting, Franklin Graham opened the Billy Graham Prayer Center on Sept. 21. Volunteers were able to pray with first responders, recovery workers and others affected by the tragedy, pointing them to the comfort and hope of Jesus Christ.

This paved the way for creation of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT), which today deploys crisis-trained chaplains to provide emotional and spiritual care to people in the midst of tragedies.

Over the past 25 years, BG-RRT has grown into a global ministry, with a network of chaplains based in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ukraine. They have deployed to more than 960 crisis situations, bringing emotional and spiritual care in the wake of man-made and natural disasters.

The ministry to first responders that began at ground zero still continues today. Through BG-RRT’s National Law Enforcement Ministry, crisis-trained chaplains come alongside those who protect and serve their communities, providing specialized emotional and spiritual support to law enforcement officers and agencies.

This Sept. 11, as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, BG-RRT will host a Prayer Breakfast at the Billy Graham Library, bringing people together to pray for first responders, government leaders and the nation—echoing Billy Graham’s call to prayer at Washington National Cathedral 25 years ago.

Discover how the tragedy of 9/11 led to the formation of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team through Sharing Hope in Crisis, a special exhibit at the Billy Graham Library. Plan your visit today.