July 24, 2012 - In a new prayer letter Billy Graham writes: "My heart aches for America and its deceived people. The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance."
The farther we get from God, the more the world spirals out of control.
by Billy Graham
Some years ago, my wife, Ruth, was reading the draft of a book I was writing. When she finished a section describing the terrible downward spiral of our nation’s moral standards and the idolatry of worshiping false gods such as technology and sex, she startled me by exclaiming, “If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”
She was probably thinking of a passage in Ezekiel where God tells why He brought those cities to ruin. “Now this was the sin of ... Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen” (Ezekiel 16:49–50, NIV).
I wonder what Ruth would think of America if she were alive today. In the years since she made that remark, millions of babies have been aborted and our nation seems largely unconcerned. Self-centered indulgence, pride, and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle.
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.
Yet the farther we get from God, the more the world spirals out of control.
My heart aches for America and its deceived people. The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance. In Jonah’s day, Nineveh was the lone world superpower—wealthy, unconcerned, and self-centered. When the Prophet Jonah finally traveled to Nineveh and proclaimed God’s warning, people heard and repented.
I believe the same thing can happen once again, this time in our nation. It’s something I long for, and my son Franklin recently shared a vision for perhaps the greatest challenge in the history of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association—to launch an outreach called My Hope with Billy Graham that would bring the Gospel into neighborhoods and homes in every corner of America next year.
BGEA has already taken My Hope to more than 50 nations. We’ve worked in close partnership with local churches across each country, and those churches have reported millions of life-changing decisions for Christ. Carrying out a nationwide American version of this evangelistic outreach will be an enormous undertaking, but in my spirit I know God has called us to do this, and I pray He will stir your heart to join us in prayer and support.
Franklin will share more about the project with you as the planning develops. In the meantime, all this year Franklin and his son Will are preaching “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21, ESV) at Crusade events across North America—from Texas to Canada—and God has blessed the work. Already tens of thousands have heard the Gospel, and many have responded, especially young people.
As I write, I am in the middle of a busy summer enjoying visits with many of my grandchildren and other family members, but also working hard on a new book that addresses some dangerous illusions about eternal salvation that are becoming increasingly accepted in many places. I want to point the world to what the Bible says.
Although age and health restrict my mobility and my stamina, not to mention my eyesight and hearing, I am thankful for the days God has given me, and I am humbled by His continued hand of favor on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Lord draws people to Himself daily through BGEA’s various evangelistic ministries, and I am so deeply grateful.
The next Crusade event is August 18–19 with Franklin in Green Bay, Wis., followed by two in September, in Buffalo, N.Y., and Ottawa, Ontario. Please join me in praying for the power of the Holy Spirit on the preaching of the Gospel.
May God bless you,
Billy Graham
To many, invoking the name of Jesus is the same as praying to an idol which is in violation of the 3rd commandment.
(and Allah is not a different G-d it is how G-d is said in Arabic, not invoking a different diety - just pointing that out)
Quoting rccmom:I don't know. I do think we are too sensitive about it. If someone wants to invoke God or Jesus in a prayer, they should be able to. If someone else publically wants to invoke Allah, they should be able to. If another wants to quote the wisdom of the Buddha on a public format, others should not get worked up over that either. What we need is to simply respect each others' beliefs.
Quoting sweet-a-kins:
Why shouldn't we make exceptions for all our citizens ?
They are just as much citizens as Christians
Quoting Ednarooni160:
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian
chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer
mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a
recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was
someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now
commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any
possibility of offending anyone—except God.
I know Allah is Arabic for G-d, but to many, it is different, so I used the example incorrectly I know. To your first point, that is my point. I think that we should respect each others' religions and the sincerity behind them. You don't have to pray and break any commandment, but you can be respectful while another person prays as their conscience dictates. As it stands, no one can say any name because someone will be offended somewhere.
Quoting momof3inTN:
To many, invoking the name of Jesus is the same as praying to an idol which is in violation of the 3rd commandment.
(and Allah is not a different G-d it is how G-d is said in Arabic, not invoking a different diety - just pointing that out)
Quoting rccmom:
I don't know. I do think we are too sensitive about it. If someone wants to invoke God or Jesus in a prayer, they should be able to. If someone else publically wants to invoke Allah, they should be able to. If another wants to quote the wisdom of the Buddha on a public format, others should not get worked up over that either. What we need is to simply respect each others' beliefs.
Quoting sweet-a-kins:
Why shouldn't we make exceptions for all our citizens ?
They are just as much citizens as Christians
Quoting Ednarooni160:
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian
chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer
mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a
recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was
someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now
commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any
possibility of offending anyone—except God.
Then the only solution is no one should pray in a civil context. Pray silently to youself. Offer a moment of silence. As a Jew I am forbidden from praying with pagans (Christians see Jesus as seperate from G-d but also G-d, this means they believe in 2 Gods, this is paganism and it is violation of the first 4 commandments).
Quoting rccmom:I know Allah is Arabic for G-d, but to many, it is different, so I used the example incorrectly I know. To your first point, that is my point. I think that we should respect each others' religions and the sincerity behind them. You don't have to pray and break any commandment, but you can be respectful while another person prays as their conscience dictates. As it stands, no one can say any name because someone will be offended somewhere.
Quoting momof3inTN:
To many, invoking the name of Jesus is the same as praying to an idol which is in violation of the 3rd commandment.
(and Allah is not a different G-d it is how G-d is said in Arabic, not invoking a different diety - just pointing that out)
Quoting rccmom:
I don't know. I do think we are too sensitive about it. If someone wants to invoke God or Jesus in a prayer, they should be able to. If someone else publically wants to invoke Allah, they should be able to. If another wants to quote the wisdom of the Buddha on a public format, others should not get worked up over that either. What we need is to simply respect each others' beliefs.
Quoting sweet-a-kins:
Why shouldn't we make exceptions for all our citizens ?
They are just as much citizens as Christians
Quoting Ednarooni160:
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian
chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer
mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a
recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was
someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now
commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any
possibility of offending anyone—except God.
I'm curious. Would it violate your beliefs to be silent while other persons pray?
Quoting momof3inTN:
Then the only solution is no one should pray in a civil context. Pray silently to youself. Offer a moment of silence. As a Jew I am forbidden from praying with pagans (Christians see Jesus as seperate from G-d but also G-d, this means they believe in 2 Gods, this is paganism and it is violation of the first 4 commandments).
Quoting rccmom:
I know Allah is Arabic for G-d, but to many, it is different, so I used the example incorrectly I know. To your first point, that is my point. I think that we should respect each others' religions and the sincerity behind them. You don't have to pray and break any commandment, but you can be respectful while another person prays as their conscience dictates. As it stands, no one can say any name because someone will be offended somewhere.
Quoting momof3inTN:
To many, invoking the name of Jesus is the same as praying to an idol which is in violation of the 3rd commandment.
(and Allah is not a different G-d it is how G-d is said in Arabic, not invoking a different diety - just pointing that out)
Quoting rccmom:
I don't know. I do think we are too sensitive about it. If someone wants to invoke God or Jesus in a prayer, they should be able to. If someone else publically wants to invoke Allah, they should be able to. If another wants to quote the wisdom of the Buddha on a public format, others should not get worked up over that either. What we need is to simply respect each others' beliefs.
Quoting sweet-a-kins:
Why shouldn't we make exceptions for all our citizens ?
They are just as much citizens as Christians
Quoting Ednarooni160:
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian
chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer
mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a
recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was
someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now
commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any
possibility of offending anyone—except God.
In my beliefs I cannot appear to be praying and I must turn my back to avoid the appearance of prayer. This has subjected myself and my children to much criticism and discrimination and anti-semitism because it points us out as different. But to do any less than turn my back on the idolatrous prayer would be in violation of the commandments.
Quoting rccmom:I'm curious. Would it violate your beliefs to be silent while other persons pray?
Quoting momof3inTN:
Then the only solution is no one should pray in a civil context. Pray silently to youself. Offer a moment of silence. As a Jew I am forbidden from praying with pagans (Christians see Jesus as seperate from G-d but also G-d, this means they believe in 2 Gods, this is paganism and it is violation of the first 4 commandments).
Quoting rccmom:
I know Allah is Arabic for G-d, but to many, it is different, so I used the example incorrectly I know. To your first point, that is my point. I think that we should respect each others' religions and the sincerity behind them. You don't have to pray and break any commandment, but you can be respectful while another person prays as their conscience dictates. As it stands, no one can say any name because someone will be offended somewhere.
Quoting momof3inTN:
To many, invoking the name of Jesus is the same as praying to an idol which is in violation of the 3rd commandment.
(and Allah is not a different G-d it is how G-d is said in Arabic, not invoking a different diety - just pointing that out)
Quoting rccmom:
I don't know. I do think we are too sensitive about it. If someone wants to invoke God or Jesus in a prayer, they should be able to. If someone else publically wants to invoke Allah, they should be able to. If another wants to quote the wisdom of the Buddha on a public format, others should not get worked up over that either. What we need is to simply respect each others' beliefs.
Quoting sweet-a-kins:
Why shouldn't we make exceptions for all our citizens ?
They are just as much citizens as Christians
Quoting Ednarooni160:
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian
chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer
mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a
recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was
someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now
commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any
possibility of offending anyone—except God.
Thank you for explaining. Then I can see why my "solution" would not work for you. It would be unfair to have you and your family singled out in such a way.
Quoting momof3inTN:
In my beliefs I cannot appear to be praying and I must turn my back to avoid the appearance of prayer. This has subjected myself and my children to much criticism and discrimination and anti-semitism because it points us out as different. But to do any less than turn my back on the idolatrous prayer would be in violation of the commandments.
Quoting rccmom:
I'm curious. Would it violate your beliefs to be silent while other persons pray?
Quoting momof3inTN:
Then the only solution is no one should pray in a civil context. Pray silently to youself. Offer a moment of silence. As a Jew I am forbidden from praying with pagans (Christians see Jesus as seperate from G-d but also G-d, this means they believe in 2 Gods, this is paganism and it is violation of the first 4 commandments).
Quoting rccmom:
I know Allah is Arabic for G-d, but to many, it is different, so I used the example incorrectly I know. To your first point, that is my point. I think that we should respect each others' religions and the sincerity behind them. You don't have to pray and break any commandment, but you can be respectful while another person prays as their conscience dictates. As it stands, no one can say any name because someone will be offended somewhere.
Quoting momof3inTN:
To many, invoking the name of Jesus is the same as praying to an idol which is in violation of the 3rd commandment.
(and Allah is not a different G-d it is how G-d is said in Arabic, not invoking a different diety - just pointing that out)
Quoting rccmom:
I don't know. I do think we are too sensitive about it. If someone wants to invoke God or Jesus in a prayer, they should be able to. If someone else publically wants to invoke Allah, they should be able to. If another wants to quote the wisdom of the Buddha on a public format, others should not get worked up over that either. What we need is to simply respect each others' beliefs.
Quoting sweet-a-kins:
Why shouldn't we make exceptions for all our citizens ?
They are just as much citizens as Christians
Quoting Ednarooni160:
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian
chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer
mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a
recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was
someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now
commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any
possibility of offending anyone—except God.
Thank you for allowing me to explain. It is not something many take the time to understand or ask about.
Quoting rccmom:Thank you for explaining. Then I can see why my "solution" would not work for you. It would be unfair to have you and your family singled out in such a way.
Quoting momof3inTN:
In my beliefs I cannot appear to be praying and I must turn my back to avoid the appearance of prayer. This has subjected myself and my children to much criticism and discrimination and anti-semitism because it points us out as different. But to do any less than turn my back on the idolatrous prayer would be in violation of the commandments.
Quoting rccmom:
I'm curious. Would it violate your beliefs to be silent while other persons pray?
Quoting momof3inTN:
Then the only solution is no one should pray in a civil context. Pray silently to youself. Offer a moment of silence. As a Jew I am forbidden from praying with pagans (Christians see Jesus as seperate from G-d but also G-d, this means they believe in 2 Gods, this is paganism and it is violation of the first 4 commandments).
Quoting rccmom:
I know Allah is Arabic for G-d, but to many, it is different, so I used the example incorrectly I know. To your first point, that is my point. I think that we should respect each others' religions and the sincerity behind them. You don't have to pray and break any commandment, but you can be respectful while another person prays as their conscience dictates. As it stands, no one can say any name because someone will be offended somewhere.
Quoting momof3inTN:
To many, invoking the name of Jesus is the same as praying to an idol which is in violation of the 3rd commandment.
(and Allah is not a different G-d it is how G-d is said in Arabic, not invoking a different diety - just pointing that out)
Quoting rccmom:
I don't know. I do think we are too sensitive about it. If someone wants to invoke God or Jesus in a prayer, they should be able to. If someone else publically wants to invoke Allah, they should be able to. If another wants to quote the wisdom of the Buddha on a public format, others should not get worked up over that either. What we need is to simply respect each others' beliefs.
Quoting sweet-a-kins:
Why shouldn't we make exceptions for all our citizens ?
They are just as much citizens as Christians
Quoting Ednarooni160:
Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian
chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer
mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a
recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was
someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now
commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any
possibility of offending anyone—except God.
When is this nonsense going to go away? When? All I want to do is explore space. We can't explore space if we are still bogged down in nonsense and superstition. The stars are waiting to be explored, but no. We're too busy arguing over a document written in the bronze age and it's non relevance in relation to the government.
Billy, just go away.
Quoting momof3inTN:
Quoting Ednarooni160:Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.
Praying to Jesus (which is what is done when one invokes the name of Jesus) is not the same as praying to G-d for many religious people in this country. I would personally find that offensive. I am Jewish. If you wish to pray to Jesus, do so, to yourself. When praying in public, with the possibility of mixed company, it is more considerate to pray to G-d without invoking the name of one that many do not believe in.
What? Jewish prayers vs. Christians prayers..seriously??
Sorry, Republicans — Nobody’s Getting Impeached
- imamomzilla
on Jul. 26, 2012 at 9:19 PM