So where exactly is the line?
It may be imaginary, but its impact is very real—that moment when the religious freedoms America has enjoyed for centuries passes the point of no return.
“We’re at the borderline. We’re right there,” Dick Sterling said on Wednesday in Madison, Wisconsin, an epicenter of religious freedom opposition. “If we step over the line, we could be like a third-world country.”
Dick and his wife, Chris, drove 80 miles from Thiensville to Madison to simply “hear Franklin Graham speak” at the 28th Decision America Tour stop.
What they experienced on Wednesday while praying with a crowd estimated at 5,600 “exceeded my expectations,” Dick said.
“And even if there’s only a few Christians praying,” Chris added, “God might have mercy on us.”
“Us” being the United States, a nation whose biblical heritage hangs in the balance. And with that in mind, more than 130,000 people have gathered at state capitol steps and lawns since Jan. 5 to join in prayer with Franklin Graham.
Franklin Graham passionately shared his heart to Wisconsin—one of a handful of purple states in the U.S.
“Our country is in trouble,” he said. “But there is hope.”
That hope, he explained, lies solely in God Almighty, and that’s the focus of his 282-day Decision America Tour.
“Let’s take our state back,” Franklin Graham said. “Let’s take our country back.”
It’s a message that has resonated with families of all ages.
Two young pastors traveled about an hour from Wisconsin Dells to Madison to teach their children about the power of praying with other Christians.
Pastor Timothy Board and his wife, Lori, brought their four children—ages 1 to 10.
“We wanted to see God move in this arena,” Lori said. “I was encouraged and challenged. And it’s an example for our kids to see.”
Pastor Mark Hunter was planning to come by himself, but decided his four kids, ages 7 to 15, along with his wife, Stephanie, would benefit.
“I wanted them to be with other Christians who are praying,” Mark said. “And it’s what we’re commanded to do.”
Next, the Decision America Tour rolls to the Twin Cities of Minnesota, the longtime home of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association before ministry headquarters moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.
After back-to-back days of scorching weather, a pleasant forecast of 79 degrees awaits.
But you can bet Franklin Graham will continue to bring the heat, challenging believers to pray, vote and consider getting involved in local politics—all in the name of Jesus.
“We need Christian mayors across our country,” he implored the crowd in Madison. “We need Christian county commissioners. We need Christians in city hall. We need Christians on school boards.”
And it’s never too late to get your family involved—young or old.
“We always take our kids with us when we vote,” Lori Board said. “We want them to learn early and realize you can make a difference.”
