More than any time in recent history, the entire world needs a fresh sense of hope. Weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, some remain overwhelmed and paralyzed by their insecurities and fear.
So many in this state of mind have called the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) Prayer Line. To date, trained team members have answered more than 70,000 calls—for prayer, spiritual conversation or to be a sounding board. Of those connections, over 3,000 people indicated they prayed to make a decision for Christ.
Be inspired by these stories and the way callers—even those dialing the wrong number—found lasting hope after hearing the Gospel.
>> Do you need encouragement or prayer, too? Call the 24-hour BGEA Prayer Line free at 888-388-2683.
Calling the IRS
One woman, thinking she’d called the IRS, asked for a 1099 tax form for her work as a hospital nurse. After learning she’d reached a prayer line, Charlene* seemed surprised and was about to hang up. The team member quickly asked if there was anything she needed prayer for. Flustered, Charlene opened up about how her boyfriend had died just two weeks earlier. She was deeply struggling with depression and grief. The volunteer, sharing how to find peace, asked if Charlene knew Christ personally. Charlene did not, but prayed for God to forgive her sins and trusted Christ as her Savior. “It was so cool to see how God orchestrated that ‘wrong number’ phone call to bring her into His fold,” the volunteer said. “God just blows me away when He does things like this!”
Smoking Crack
Leah* was smoking crack when she saw Franklin Graham’s message about the BGEA Prayer Line on a TV ad. The young woman called in to let a volunteer know she had prayed along with Graham to receive Christ. Leah said she didn’t want to live life like that anymore. While they talked, she grabbed a Bible and read John 3:16 aloud. The volunteer prayed for God to deliver her from addiction and help her find a counselor right away.
Tired of Seeing Ads
Phil* was an atheist who called to say that he was tired of seeing TV commercials for the prayer line. He also commented how believers were hypocrites who claimed to be Christians on Sunday but then lived a wild life all week. The team member talked about our need for a Savior despite how some people may act. Phil eventually agreed, saying he’d see about trying church again. After a little more conversation, he realized that no one is promised tomorrow and prayed to surrender his life to Christ.
A Heavenly Father
A 19-year-old called for prayer, saying he did things that made his father mad. Christopher* said his father called him an “idiot” and other mean names. The volunteer listened to Christopher and shared how much his heavenly Father loved him and how he could have a personal relationship with Him. The teenager wanted that, and prayed to ask God to forgive his sins and to follow His Son, Jesus Christ. The volunteer told Christopher that to grow as a Christian, he needed to start reading the Bible, and recommended starting with the first chapter of John.
Activating a Gift Card
Betty* had a gift card she was trying to activate. Reaching the prayer line instead, she asked what company she had called. The prayer volunteer explained and asked if they could pray with her. Betty said yes, and asked for prayer for her son and daughter who deal with substance abuse, and for her own medical problems. The team member prayed with Betty for assurance of her salvation in Jesus Christ and for the requests. Before hanging up, Betty said, “I think I was supposed to connect with you.” The volunteer assured her it wasn’t a coincidence, but a divine appointment. The caller kept saying, “Thank you, Jesus!”
*Names have been changed for privacy
Find lasting peace through Christ. Start here.
