Each year, the first Thursday in May is set aside as a National Day of Prayer. As we approach the May 3, 2012, observance, Franklin and Billy Graham share thoughts on why we need to pray for America.
“Our nation has departed from God’s ways, disobeyed His Word, and ignored His warnings to turn away from our sin,” Franklin wrote in a letter to BGEA supporters recently. “The result is a nation where ‘everyone does what is right in his own eyes’ (Judges 21:25).
“Our hearts have grown hard and cold to the Gospel,” Franklin added, “and until genuine, heartfelt repentance and revival occur, our nation will experience God’s judgment, not His blessings.”
“Since our earliest years as a nation our leaders have called us to prayer, especially during times of crisis,” Billy Graham said in a recent My Answer column. “Throughout our history prayer has been an important part of our national life because we have realized that we need God’s wisdom and guidance.”
Mr. Graham pointed out that the Bible commands us to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2).
“This should be true on a personal level,” he continued. “Don’t let a day go by without praying for our nation and its leaders (as well as all the leaders of the world). But we also should come together to pray, for God is pleased when His people are united in prayer.
“I urge you to support this year’s National Day of Prayer,” Billy concluded, “and to encourage others to do so as well.”
The Need for Confession
In the May 2009 Billy Graham television special, Franklin Graham said that America needs “leaders who will stand up who will say, ‘We have sinned against God.’ We need a nation who will confess their sins to God.
“Our country today is in a big mess. We think it’s a financial crisis. Listen, it is a moral, spiritual crisis. That’s where we are today. We’ve turned our back on God. We have taken God out of our society. We’ve taken Him out of our schools, and what do we have to show…we’ve got a big mess. And this is very serious.
“What can we do?” Franklin asked. “We can pray. We can pray for our leaders. We can pray for president. We can pray for all those that are elected officials over us. The governors of our states…pray for them that God would work in their hearts, and that they would see a need for God, and that they would call upon the name of Almighty God.
“We need to call upon the name of Almighty God. We do need to confess our sins to Him. I don’t see ourselves getting out of this mess that we’re in unless Almighty God Himself intervenes on our behalf. We need His help.”
Pray for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity. You can learn more about the National Day of Prayer at nationaldayofprayer.org.
Follow along with Scripture:
