Joey Mendoza didn’t care if Tuesday’s Decision America Tour prayer rally in Austin lasted an hour or five minutes. He believed God wanted his group there; they were going to be there.
So at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Joey and nine others from his church, including five youth group members, made the almost five-hour trek from Edinburg to the Texas capital. The group from Door of Hope Church was part of the largest prayer rally to date, as an estimated 8,100 people joined Franklin Graham to pray for America.
Joey smiled and said it was “all God” that his group covered the roughly 300-mile journey with only one bathroom stop.
But his eyes filled with tears when he considered the implications of the day, particularly for his youth. Joey’s teen years were vastly different. Instead of prayer rallies, there were parties, drugs, alcohol—brokenness. It all came crashing down in 2001 when he accepted Christ.
So when he sees his students seizing opportunities he didn’t even know existed as a youngster, it does something to his heart.
“It just touches me,” Joey said. “Knowing that there’s a desire that they have to want to do God’s will and to have Him first in their lives. Growing up, I was never taught that so we’re bringing up our kids in the ways of the Lord. It really touches me to see because they are the next generation.
“We can teach them the right way and show them how important prayer is, not just pray for ourselves but pray for other people; pray for the nation; pray for our government. I think it can go a long way.”
Prayer is the primary point of the Decision America rallies, but Franklin Graham also encouraged those in attendance to vote and consider getting involved in politics.
“If God leads you and leads the rest of us, then He can turn this nation around,” Franklin Graham said. “He can do it.”
Joy Stallworth and Cindy Bosley, who were among the first there Tuesday morning, agree that God is the only one who can turn around this country. When Joy considers the future for her son and three granddaughters, she says it terrifies her.
“I know the Lord has them, and He’s got them in His hands, but the country that they’re going to grow up in, and the peer pressure that they’re going to receive,” said Joy, who drove up from Angleton, Texas, after hearing about the prayer rally from her sister-in-law. “Standing up for the Lord is becoming against the law. It doesn’t make sense.”
“It’s time to step up,” said Cindy, who joined Joy for the trip up. The sisters in Christ camped out the night before. “Christians need to step up and take control. There are a lot of Christians in the United States.”
And that’s something Franklin Graham stressed on Tuesday. They can’t stop all of us, he said, receiving a hearty “Amen” across the lawn. Given the humid 84-degree day, many people sought shelter from the sporadic sun under the massive oak trees.
Franklin Graham’s words echoed off the buildings facing the South Capitol steps, and that was perfect for bikers Gus McMillion and Eric Hibdon. The two had trouble finding parking with so many people attending. They stood by their bikes in the nearby lot and listened to every word.
Gus, a Biker for Christ from Bracketville, drew hope from Franklin Graham’s message.
“Even though this world is in peril, God’s people aren’t,” he said. “This place might be a mess that we’re living in, but the kingdom of God is not of this earth.”
Eric reiterated how critical it is to elect Christian leaders.
“If we continue to just lay down and let [non-Christians] rule this country, then it’s not going to be one much longer,” he added.
“God needs to be put as the leader of this nation.”
