Through Divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator… —State Constitution of Delaware
Acknowledgement of the Creator is something the leaders of Delaware—the first state to enter the Union—made sure to include among the first words of their State Constitution. And although those words were written a long time ago, a diverse group of current-day Delaware residents proved on Tuesday that they’re still in the business of acknowledging their Creator.
An estimated 2,600 people filled the lawn in front of the State Capitol in Dover for Franklin Graham’s 42nd Decision America Tour stop. Some chose to sweat it out in the sun to get a front row seat; others caught the late-summer breeze in the shade of the trees lining the perimeter. Together, they joined hands to pray for the United States—a nation they clearly love, despite deep concern over the direction in which it seems to be headed.
“It’s not too late for America if God’s people will pray and get involved,” Franklin Graham said.
As he spoke about his concern for the future of the country—something he’s done in one state capital after another since January—the older members of the crowd predictably murmured in agreement. But they weren’t alone. Hundreds of young people were also an active part of the prayer rally, including more than 200 students from Delmarva Christian High School in Georgetown, Delaware.
The students joined their fellow residents in asking God to forgive their personal sins, the sins of their families and the sins of the American people as a whole. After a time of prayer, they listened as Franklin Graham urged Christians to get involved in the political process.
Jordyn DiFava, a sophomore at Delmarva Christian, called it “an awesome experience.”
“It was an amazing feeling to be able to hold hands with people all around us and just take the time to pray together,” she said.
She and the other students attended the rally because their school administrators, teachers and staff caught the vision behind Decision America Tour and decided it was something they needed to be involved in. It also didn’t hurt that it complemented their history curriculum and even their theme for the year, Laus Deo—Latin for “Praise be to God.”
“We’re trying to bring our students back to the Christian heritage of our nation,” said Mike Vonhof, director of schools. “There’s so much revisionist history that happens in our schools. We want to really be able to go back and have students who understand that our country … is great today because we were built on a Christian foundation and Christian principles.”
Franklin Graham could see the large number of young faces looking back at him as he shared his heart for the United States.
“Go to the polls and register,” he said. A few seconds later, he added, “Make sure your parents are registered.”
As a father and grandfather, Franklin knows the influence young people can wield. So does Vonhof, who has three children of his own and spends at least five days a week in the presence of hundreds of teenagers.
“While they may not be able to vote in this election, they’re not very far from being able to cast their first vote,” he said. “I think our students are also influencers. They have influence with Mom and Dad, with Grandma and Grandpa.”
With so many current events pointing to a very different nation than what most grandmas and grandpas grew up in, it can be easy to get discouraged. But events like the Decision America Tour, Vonhof said, are reminders that it’s not too late for God to turn the country around.
“When you get a little bit older, you watch the news, you get frustrated and you can lose hope,” he said. “Then you go to an event like this, and you see a large group of young people who are engaged, polite, well behaved … it gets people energized and excited about the future.”
That was the case for a group of friends from Seaford, Delaware, who set up lawn chairs and a blanket in the shade. The two couples in their 70s and 80s said they were excited to see so many youth praying for the nation.
“I think they have to carry us,” said Dolores Borders. “They better be here! The Lord’s going to do great things with young people.”
The Delmarva Christian team agrees.
“I would definitely say that we are not beyond hope,” Vonhof said. “While we can certainly become discouraged when we turn our sights to what’s happening in the world, I think we’re reminded day in and day out that there are a lot of young people who are committed to the Lord, who have incredible gifts and abilities, and I think they’re being prepared to serve God well with their lives.”
That seemed to be the case on Tuesday as the students piled back onto their buses at the end of the rally.
When asked about his biggest takeaway from Franklin Graham’s message, Caleb McFarlin, a junior, responded quickly: “To be willing and open to what God has for your life, especially if that’s leading in a government position.”
It was clear he’d been listening, which meant he also heard Franklin’s repeated declaration that no politician or political party can save the nation—only God can. And that’s a truth worth acknowledging.
“Ultimately, our hope is not in who gets elected,” Vonhof said. “It’s not in our country. Our hope is in Christ.”
