The following letter from March 9, 2016, was resubmitted for publication by writer Jimmie Flanagan of LaVale, who believes its message remains timely today.
Twenty years ago, Jerry Falwell, organizer of Liberty Alliance, Forest, Virginia, sent me a letter titled “God Save America.”
He wrote “America is in serious trouble! For the past several months, I have spent much time in prayer, taking stock, and asking God’s direction and leading for our great country.”
Then he wrote “Unless we wake up and turn the nation around morally and spiritually, I see seven disasters facing America in the immediate future (20 years ago). 1. Violence will become a way of life. 2. National sovereignty will be surrendered to international control. 3. Evangelical Christians will be a despised and oppressed minority. 4. The traditional family will be replaced by diverse family forms. 5. The Judeo-Christian ethic will be nothing but a distant memory. 6. America will lose its position of world economic leadership. 7. The American dream will become a nightmare. I fear that unless God intervenes, these seven disasters will usher America into a post-Christian era,” said Falwell.
I submit today that all of these seven disasters have become a reality.
Falwell wrote, “In spite of my pressing duties as pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Chancellor of Liberty University (which I will not abandon), I have committed myself to going back on the road calling America back to God. The last time I committed to such an undertaking was in 1976 when I lead a team to hundreds of cities across America to conduct I love America rallies.”
Now, 20 years later, Franklin Graham believes God has called him to go to all 50 states to challenge Christians across the nation to repent, pray and live boldly for Jesus Christ. In January, Franklin began a campaign that he believes is as important as any we have ever launched in the more than 60 years history of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
In the “Decision” magazine, January 2016, page 8, Franklin states, “I believe we are perilously close to the moral tipping point for the survival of the United States of America.”
Reporting on his nationwide tour to all 50 state capitols, to urge people to put their faith in Almighty God he said, “I believe it will be the most crucial we have ever conducted.” He has set three specific endeavors he will ask the audience in each state to set their minds and hearts on.
“First and foremost, I want people to pray for our land and our leaders. Second, I want to encourage God’s people to go to the polls, not just to elect our president but also for local and state elections. In the 2012 elections, it is estimated that 17 million evangelical Christians did not vote. That would have been more than enough to tip an elections that was decided by 5 million votes. Third, engage in the civic process wherever you can.”
He closes the article, “I hope that God will use the Decision America Tour as a spark for revival and awakening in our nation. My confidence and trust is completely in His mercy and grace.” This all ties in with the (May 5) National Day of Prayer 2016 theme, “Wake Up, America.”
I submit this article in agreement with Franklin Graham’s appeal to the principles laid out in 2 Chronicles 7:14. It’s calling Christians back to prayer, and it’s saying: “Let’s get our spiritual house in order, that God might hear our prayers and heal our land.”
Jimmie Flanagan
LaVale