Billy Graham’s Daughter: 9/11 Was ‘A Wake-up Call‘ But ’We’re Still Sleeping!’

Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of famed evangelical leader the Rev. Billy Graham, believes that the 9/11 attacks on America were a wake-up call from God.

She believes that the event, though tragic, served as a call to all Christian believers to start a revival in the church. It was this horrific event, Lotz explains, that further sparked and reinvigorated her interest in spreading the gospel. According to Beliefnet, as she watched the towers fall on television a decade ago, God set her "heart on fire":

“On that day, God woke me up and set my heart on fire to tell other people the glorious good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It made me more focused. As I watched the towers fall, I thought I was watching 50,000 people die, but many people had gotten out. It was less than 3,000, but it was still shattering. I asked myself how many were not ready to step into eternity. I remember that very day sharing the Gospel with strangers. I came out bolder. It was a time not to be silent."

That passion apparently is still aflame inside of her as she says that she doesn't want to see anyone "die without Jesus." Christians like Lotz believe that admittance to heaven is dependent upon an acceptance of and a relationship with Jesus Christ. In a 2001 CNN interview that followed the terror attacks, she discussed the lessons 9/11 has taught:

I believe one of the lessons -- and there are many, and some we are still learning -- but one lesson is that we need each other. One is that there is more meaning to life than material prosperity. I think one lesson is that it's time to think about our priorities, and what really matters, what's really important. An over-arching lesson is one I've already given, and that's that while we're buying insurance, homeowners, life, etc., we should also make sure that we're insured for eternity, and the way to do that is to place faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

She also contends that Americans have pushed God "farther and farther out of our government, businesses, marketplace and schools." How do we fix this fatal error, you ask? Lotz says we simply need to repent and invite God back. Some, clearly, would scoff at such a notion, believing that faith and these sectors are meant to exist separately.

Of course, Lotz knows her statements and views are controversial, but she's fine with that. She explains that she's here to speak the "truth," but with love. Knowing full well that debate may follow her commentary, she warns of what could come next if America doesn't start listening:

“God allowed September 11 and used it. If we don’t wake up, what is going to come next?

This is a wake-up call for you! America, are you listening? [...]

In a world where political correctness seems to deny truth, where moral relativism seems to deny standards, and where religious pluralism seems to deny God, it’s vital to know what we believe and why we believe it.”

Ten years after 9/11, she says: "We're still sleeping!" The wake-up call that she claims was sent from God has apparently, in her view, not yet been heeded.

This year, to commemorate the anniversary of the attacks, Lotz plans to co-host a worldwide Simulcast along with Christian author Joel Rosenberg. This event will include a 9-week Bible study to follow (optional of course). Below, see an event trailer that encourages Americans to "wake up":

Regardless of where one stands on Lotz's beliefs, it does appear that the passion she so actively showcased following the September 11 attacks is still driving her work today.

(h/t Beliefnet)