Franklin Graham: ‘Our nation has lost its way’

Originally published in Charisma News

After watching the political conventions of both parties last month, it’s clear that America is quickly hurtling down a road toward God’s judgment.

One party affirms a belief in the sanctity of life. The other party does not. One party supports the traditional, biblical definition of marriage between one man and one woman. The other party enthusiastically endorses and promotes same-sex marriage.

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I will not—cannot—vote for a candidate, regardless of their political affiliation, who supports same-sex marriage and advocates abortion. God will judge our nation if we continue down this path.

Here in Charlotte, N.C., near our headquarters building, the Democrats held their convention and made a clear choice to leave God and Jerusalem out of their platform. They caught so much criticism from around the country that they moved to reinsert the words but needed a two-thirds majority to make the change.

The mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, who was presiding at that time during the convention, asked all in favor to say “aye.” Many voiced their approval. But when he asked all opposed to say “no,” I watched in horror and absolute disbelief at the deafening roar as delegates rejected including any mention of God’s name. After the mayor called for two more votes, each with the same result, opponents shouted in protest as the mayor wielded his gavel and declared it approved.

I appreciate those delegates at the Democratic convention who stood up by saying “aye.” They were the minority, with the majority clearly rejecting any mention of God. This all happened on national television, and it sent goose bumps up my spine and shock waves across America. When the prophet Jeremiah warned the Judeans of impending Babylonian captivity, he repeatedly reminded them that their exile would take place because they had forgotten God (Jeremiah 2:32; 3:21; 13:25; 18:15).

In our great prosperity of years past and our nation’s long period of world leadership, perhaps America has largely forgotten God and instead proudly chosen to rely on our own wisdom and strength.

Does your vote count? You bet it does. Now is the time for people of faith to stand up for clear biblical standards and for our freedom to live by those standards. Christians need to be careful how they vote this fall, not just nationally, but also on the state and local levels. What are the candidates’ positions on issues in our culture that are clearly addressed in the Word of God? We need to elect leaders who believe in the sanctity of life, and who defend and fight for God’s definition of marriage between one man and one woman.

My father and I both take a strong stand on biblical values. I believe this year could be one of the most important elections held in our nation’s history. The spirit of the antichrist is gaining strength in American society, and it is evident all around us. If you’re not registered to vote, then be sure to do so before the election.

Let us also not forget that elections and politics are temporal. Elections do matter, but “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, NIV). Lasting change comes not from political parties but from the power of the Gospel. That’s why we’ve already been at work for months on a massive outreach—quite possibly the largest in our history—planned for next year.

My Hope with Billy Graham will be carried out in close partnership with many thousands of churches and individuals everywhere in the country. We need your prayers, and America needs your prayers. Our nation has lost its way, but when people repent of sin and turn in faith to Jesus Christ, hearts are healed, lives are transformed, and nations begin to be changed.

I have just returned from a region-wide Rock the Lakes outreach in Buffalo, N.Y. This weekend, I will be across the border in Canada for a youth-focused Crusade in Ottawa. Then later in October I will lead a crusade in the world’s newest country, South Sudan. Churches there, many of them survivors of intense persecution, have invited us because they want the preaching of the cospel to be the foundation of their emerging nation.

My son Will, who has just returned from proclaiming Jesus Christ in Shenzhen, China, will lead a crusade in Thailand at the beginning of November.

The stakes are high, both in America and for people in other countries who long for hope. Please pray that God will transform lives, communities and ultimately entire nations by changing people’s hearts.