The federal government is on the verge of nationalizing our financial institutions, fundamentally changing the economic engine that has driven our democracy for over 200 years. That would be a giant step toward socialism.
This isn’t what I fear most, however. What burdens my heart and soul is that I believe America finds itself in this predicament because we are a nation that has forgotten God. We have rejected God. We don’t want Him in the marketplace, our schools, or our government.
The moral and spiritual fabric that kept this country strong for so long has almost completely unraveled, and the economic chaos is just one of the disastrous consequences.
We need another great awakening, a fresh revival that puts us on our knees, brings us to repentance for our sins, and turns our hearts back again to worship and obey God.
There is no other way for America to be great again.
Lessons from Nehemiah
In the book of Nehemiah, a remnant of Hebrews who had survived 70 years of Babylonian captivity returned and rebuilt the burned and crumbled walls of Jerusalem. As they gathered around one of the gates of the city, the scribe Ezra stood before the people and read from the book of the law of Moses.
From daybreak to noon, he stood on a large platform and read aloud the Scripture. God’s Word was preached and explained clearly.
As the people listened, they wept over their sin. “They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers” (Nehemiah 9:2, NIV). They publicly acknowledged that they had forgotten God and that the Lord was just in punishing them.
Our nation is now reaping what we have sown. Our greed, relentless pursuit of pleasure, and abandonment of God’s principles have brought us to this historic turning point.
I love my country, but I hate what I see taking place. God may be bringing judgment on us, just like He did on the Israelites. We have sinned openly and repeatedly, and we are in grave danger unless we repent and turn back to God.
Why We Preach the Gospel
This is why we preach the Gospel. This is why we proclaim the message of repentance and faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ, who shed His blood on Calvary’s cross for our sins.
People sometimes ask me if I get discouraged as I preach God’s Word in city after city, only to see our nation growing darker. Not at all. I’m encouraged, because as I deliver God’s Gospel, I see thousands come forward, confess their sins, and turn by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Nehemiah’s day, the Hebrews humbled themselves as they heard Ezra preach God’s Word. How I thank God that, today, I often see godly sorrow over sin sweep across stadiums and fields as we preach the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the tears dry, there is great rejoicing. “Do not grieve,” Nehemiah told the crowd, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
I believe we can experience this kind of national revival again. I believe we can see the hearts of millions touched by the power of the Gospel.
Watch a brief video about the return of Christ and the urgency of the Gospel. Scroll down for the rest of the letter:
We must pray. We must come before God every day and ask Him that the riches of His kindness and patience would lead us to genuine repentance (see Romans 2:4). We must intercede for our leaders to turn their hearts to Him.
Please pray for us as we take the Gospel to the heartland of America this summer through Rock the River, an evangelistic concert tour where I will be preaching to thousands of young people. Pray also for Crusades I have coming up this month in Uruguay and in Estonia May 29–31. Pray with us that many lost will respond to the saving message of Christ.
America is at a crossroads. The need is greater than ever before. The hour is more urgent than ever before.
Let us all remember that, despite our sin, the Lord is a “forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Nehemiah 9:17) for all who call upon His Name for salvation. It’s never too late to turn back to God. Help us take this message across America–and to the ends of the earth.
May God richly bless you,
Franklin Graham
President
P.S. If you sent us a prayer request of your own in recent weeks, be assured that our staff has been praying. We are honored to partner with you in this way. I greatly appreciate your friendship, your prayers, and all that you do for Jesus. Request prayer at billygraham.org.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
God works through people like you to change the world for the sake of the Gospel.
- Our Nation
“History could be altered,” my father has said, “if people went to their knees in believing prayer.” Will you pray that our leaders will listen to God’s voice and that our nation will repent and turn to God? Pray also for us as we vigorously proclaim the Gospel that changes lives and nations. - Crusades
Uruguay is said to be the most secular country in the Americas, and Colombia is considered among the most violent–but God is opening hearts. Will you pray with us that lost men, women, and children will respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ through BGEA Crusades around the world?
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