Franklin Graham recently announced that he will be leading "prayer rallies" in all 50 states next year, designed to mobilize conservative Christians to vote and run for office because, among other things, "LGBT activists, abortion rights advocates, aggressive atheist groups, and others who ignore God’s Word are trying to shove their agenda down our throats":
In 2016, I plan to hold prayer rallies in all 50 states. I believe God has called us to this. We’re naming it the Decision America Tour. I want to challenge Christians across our land to boldly live out their faith and to pray fervently and faithfully for our nation and all its leaders. I want to encourage Christians to get out and vote in the coming election year. We will not be endorsing any political candidates, but I will urge people to vote for those on the ballot who uphold biblical principles, and I will be sharing the life-changing truth of God’s Gospel in every state.
Can you imagine what a difference it could make if in the next election Christians went to the polls in unprecedented numbers? And if Christians ran for every elected office available at all levels—local, state, and national? School board members, city council members, judges, mayors—all of these are such critical positions. Just think of what would happen if the school board in your own community was made up of Christians. I’ll bet things would begin to change for the better in those schools.
Jesus said we are to be the salt and the light in this world. Salt preserves and can bring healing. We are to speak the truth of God’s Word to a society that is racing in the opposite direction, in moral decline, at warp speed. Jesus said that as lights, we are to shine brightly—up on a lampstand so everyone can see and not hidden under a basket.
Jesus instructs us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NKJV).
Friends, America is in trouble. At age 62, I’ve lived long enough to learn that no political party or politician is the answer. The only hope for this country is Almighty God and His Son. We can’t sit idly by any longer. LGBT activists, abortion rights advocates, aggressive atheist groups, and others who ignore God’s Word are trying to shove their agenda down our throats. We need to take every opportunity to speak up for biblical standards and let our lights shine. We need to work to preserve our religious freedoms so that we can continue to proclaim the Gospel freely. If we as Christians stand together and let our voice be heard, I believe God can use us to make a difference. I hope you will start praying with us now.
In a video announcing the tour, Graham says the goal is not only to get "Christians to vote for candidates, men and women who will stand for biblical values," but also to mobilize "Christians to run [for office] at the local level, the state level, the federal level [and] raise up an army of men and women who are willing to get into the political field and hold to biblical values" in an effort to save America.
