For more than a decade, faithful believers like Diana Wakefield and Susan Johnsen have walked the Capitol grounds of Olympia, Washington. They’ve prayed over the city, the state and the nation, specifically asking God to move in the Pacific Northwest.
They considered Franklin Graham’s Decision America Tour stop on Wednesday to be an answer to their prayers.
Olympia is the 31st State Capitol that Franklin Graham has visited so far this election year. The president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and son of Billy Graham is crossing the nation and stopping in every state to share his heart for America.
“We have always prayed for a move of God in our city and in our states, [but] it isn’t like I prayed specifically for Franklin until several years ago,” said Wakefield, whose daughter accepted Christ in 1976 at a Billy Graham Crusade in Seattle.
“We were praying, not knowing who we were praying for, but we knew that something big had to happen.”
On Wednesday, an estimated 5,800 people joined Franklin Graham to pray for America. Believers stretched out across the Capitol lawn and even onto the bases of nearby statues for a better view. They waved American and Christian flags during worship and prayed audibly together.
“I want your prayers to rock this city,” Franklin Graham encouraged the crowd, which erupted into applause.
“We need to realize that we need to turn back to God if we have any hope of this nation succeeding and for future generations,” said Terri, a government employee who came with her 85-year-old politically minded mother Cris. Cris said she frequently attends government meetings.
But it wasn’t just the older generation; the youth also took a stand during Wednesday’s rally.
Seventeen-year-old Eric Anderson from Gig Harbor was quick to point out that his 18th birthday is just days away. Soon, he can register to vote.
“I’m not sure how the election is going to go. I’m really excited that there’s a group praying for it, and it’s really cool to see how many people are here,” said Anderson, who plans to pursue Christian apologetics in college. “When I was little, my mom read to me Billy Graham’s biography and for some reason that just resonated with me. When I saw that [Billy Graham’s] ministry and his son were going to be here, I was really excited.”
Sharing a time of prayer with like-minded believers also prompted Frank Nevarez of Seattle to stop by.“I’m here to be in unity with our fellow brothers and sisters in this urgent time of need of prayer,” Nevarez said.
“This country has gone astray pretty much and we need to stand boldly on the truth, on our foundation.”
Franklin Graham encouraged boldness as he led believers through a time of prayer and urged them to get involved in the political process.
“Our job as Christians is to make the impact of Christ felt in every phase of life,” he said.
“He is trumpeting God’s heart right now for our nation, and that’s the prophetic voice,” said Wakefield, who with her husband founded Daniels’ House of Prayer for Washington State.
The house sits just a block or so from the State Capitol and served as a hub of prayer ahead of Wednesday’s tour stop where Wakefield and Johnsen were co-leaders for the rally. Decision America team members met at the house bright and early Wednesday morning for another time of prayer. Charlene Allen, Decision America prayer coordinator, said the Capitol grounds had been saturated in prayer preparing for the event.
“We want to take back our city,” Allen said. “And have Christians begin to be bold, understand the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to work together.
“We have an expectation beyond this world because Jesus is our expectation.”
Jason Hubbard, who leads a prayer center in Bellingham, Washington, invited pastors and church leaders to meet him after Wednesday’s rally for additional prayer and intercession.
“It can’t just be about one event with where our nation is at,” Hubbard said. “We need to mobilize the whole body of Christ to seek the face of God, inquire of Him, humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and call on His name for salvation to see America turn back to God.”
