Graham Family continues legacy of National Day of Prayer
On Thursday, May 7, Will Graham co-hosted a special National Day of Prayer (NDOP) broadcast. In honor of the 69th annual NDOP, thousands of people across the nation united in prayer during the livestream broadcast from the Billy Graham Library.
This year’s prayer event was focused on Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
Will Graham prayed, “Lord, we need you. Our country needs you more than ever. Therefore, we take this time to confess our total dependence on you. Lord, we pray that the glory of the Lord will shine during this time. May people see your glory in us. As the world is captivated by fear, help us to be captivated by your glory. May the world turn to you and call to you in our time of great need.”
A national day of prayer was originally called for by Billy Graham in 1952 from the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Soon after, this was signed into law by President Harry Truman.
Franklin Graham and Cissie Graham Lynch also led times of prayer on a livestream hosted by Pray.com.
“Father we know that You use storms in life to turn people’s hearts. And Father, we know this is happening right now. Father we thank You and we praise You,” Franklin Graham said as he prayed for the healing of the nation. “And now Father we pray that, if it be Thy will, that You would protect us from this COVID-19, that this pandemic would be lifted off of our country and the people around the world.”
Cissie Graham Lynch prayed over the teachers and school administrators in the nation. “Lord I pray today for all that have influence on the education of our children in this country, that You’d continue to encourage them, and that You’d continue to give them wisdom and knowledge.” Lynch encouraged everyone to use prayer and God’s Word as an anchor during the coronavirus pandemic.
To watch the replay of the NDOP broadcast co-hosted by Will Graham, visit www.BillyGraham.org/live/national-day-of-prayer/.
RRT Chaplains deploy amidst protests and natural disasters
In May, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) sent 12 crisis-trained chaplains to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to support the community experiencing a time of crisis surrounding the death of George Floyd. With protests taking place in cities across the country, the RRT also sent a team of chaplains into its own community of Charlotte.
Jack Munday, international director of the RRT, said, “During our ministry in both Minneapolis and Charlotte, we have found the frustration and needs of those protesting is great as many agree to conversation and welcome prayer.” Munday explained that chaplains were deployed to “show God’s love because most people are in crisis for many different reasons. In times like this, we know grief can be lasting and devastating. For that reason, we share God’s hope in Jesus Christ, for without Christ, we believe a person’s life can be overwhelmed with despair and hopelessness.”
Earlier in May, the RRT deployed alongside Samaritan’s Purse to multiple cities affected by natural disasters. These areas include Midland County, Michigan, after a pair of failed dams caused severe flooding, and Bowie, Texas, after an EF-1 tornado damaged around 200 homes and businesses and left many without power. Chaplains shared the hope of Jesus Christ with the hurting residents in these areas through emotional and spiritual support.
For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.
Billy Graham Library reopens following coronavirus closure
The Billy Graham Library reopened all of its facilities on Saturday, May 23.
“We are excited to be able to reopen the Billy Graham Library, and to have The Journey of Faith, Graham Family Homeplace, and the outdoor Memorial Prayer Garden all available for guests to enjoy. I think they will be blessed by seeing what God did through my father’s life and how He is continuing to work today,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “God is still in the life-changing business; His Gospel was not shut down during this pandemic. During uncertain times, like this coronavirus, people need to hear more of God’s love and the hope available through His Son, Jesus Christ, not less.”
The Library staff has welcomed guests to the Library with added precautionary measures implemented. In accordance with the North Carolina Governor’s executive order, visitors are limited to 50 percent capacity, with no more than 300 people on property at any given time. Visitors are encouraged to follow the CDC guidelines for being in public places.
On June 10, the Billy Graham Library will honor Ruth Bell Graham on what would have been her 100th birthday. Guests will be able to view items related to Ruth that are not typically on display, and specials discounts will be available in Ruth’s Attic bookstore (her namesake) and food items in the Graham Brothers Dairy Bar.
For additional information on the Billy Graham Library, including updates and announcements, visit http://www.BillyGrahamLibrary.org.
If you would like more information about these, or other, updates from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, please contact media@billygraham.org. Complete press releases from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are available at media.billygraham.org.