"We're standing up for God. We want to get the nation
back. We don't like the direction we're heading." -'Scott', attendee
from Ohio.
(South Carolina)—[BillyGraham.org] For Larry Furr, attending Tuesday's Decision America Tour prayer rally in Columbia, South Carolina, wasn't optional. (Photo via BillyGraham.org)
"This is one of those things you can't not
do," he said as an estimated 7,100 people filled the north side of the
State Capitol to hear Franklin Graham share his heart for America.
"I believe God's Church is responsible for
holding up His standard, His truth, and I want to do my part," added
Furr, who drove almost two hours from Mint Hill, North Carolina, to
attend. "I know God is raising up millions of people. I want to be part
of what God is doing."
Tuesday's rally in Columbia marked the fifth
stop of Franklin Graham's Decision America tour. On Wednesday, he'll
visit Atlanta, Georgia. It's all part of his plan to crisscross the
nation, holding prayer rallies in all 50 state capitals ahead of the
November elections.
"We're here today because we see our nation
is in trouble," Franklin Graham told the Columbia crowd, which responded
with a hearty "Amen."
People bundled up for the 40-degree day and
stood shoulder-to-shoulder across the lawn with American flags in hand.
Some perched on the bases of statues to get a better view.
"We need more godly people like [Franklin
Graham] to stand up for our nation," said Lisa Holzberger, a Cincinnati
native who lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Holzberger was one of 15 people from Calvary
Chapel who made the almost three-hour trip from the South Carolina
coast. Jean Scott was part of the caravan.
"We're standing up for God," said Scott, who
originally hails from Cleveland, Ohio. "We want to get the nation back.
We don't like the direction we're heading."
A bitter 40-degree day with snow flurries in
Columbia, South Carolina, couldn't keep the crowds down as an estimated
7,100 braved the elements to hear Franklin Graham's heart for America.
On Tuesday, Franklin Graham pointed his
fellow Christians toward Almighty God as he led them in prayer—to
confess sins of our nation and to spend time in personal repentance.
Franklin Graham subsequently led those in attendance through a prayer to
accept Jesus Christ after sharing the Good News. Light snow flurries
fell as another "Amen" was lifted heavenward.
Turning the country around isn't achievable
solely through our human strength, Franklin Graham acknowledged. But he
stressed Christian men and women must get involved to affect change.
He urged Believers not only to pray for
every level of politics, but to consider running for office. Imagine, he
told the crowd, what the schools could look like if Christians served
on the board. Same with county commissioner seats, judge positions and
the like.
"You can go right on down the list," Franklin Graham said. "Every office is important."
Given the current political
landscape—particularly with the slew of presidential contenders—resident
Columbians Patsy Brewer and Carroll Peters admit they're concerned
about our nation.
"It
would be nice to have someone of character as president," Brewer said.
"We're sliding so fast. It's scary. But we all pray." (Photo via BillyGraham.org)
In prayer is how many Columbia International
University students and faculty showed up for Tuesday's event. They met
prior to the noon rally to worship and then broke up into three prayer
walking groups—entering the north side of the Capitol from three
different directions—to cover the area in prayer.
Freshman Eric Smythe responded to the
campus-wide invitation to attend the prayer rally and later commented on
Franklin Graham.
"When he spoke, the power went through his
words and through our hearts," Smythe said. "It's amazing to realize the
power of God and how intricately involved in the details He really is."
The Decision America Tour is just getting
started with 45 stops left. The next three stops are in Atlanta,
Honolulu and Denver.
The youth impact didn't stop with the
college students, either. Stewart Buxton, Katy McGuire and Nan
Spacek—all 16-year-old students attending nearby Ben Lippen School—were
excited to be a part of the event. Stewart, bundled up in a blanket,
shared how her father accepted Christ at one of Billy Graham's Crusades.
Her father's passion for Christ undeniably was handed down to his daughter.
"I don't really buy into the fact you have
to be older to make a change," Buxton said. "I can't change the world as
in I can't change everything, but I can change my community and I can
change the people that I am around.
"I get that we're young, but I don't think
you're ever too young to try and make a stand and change America."
As the lawn emptied, Jeffrey Fortenberry
snapped a quick picture of his kids Lillian, 14, Leeanna, 12, and
Josiah, 11, in front of the South Carolina Capitol steps. Franklin
Graham's message was fresh on his mind.
"We need to take action," Fortenberry said.
"We need to make sure we take our privileges that we've been blessed
with here in this country and actually go vote."
Click here to find out when Franklin Graham is coming to your state.
Source: www.breakingchristiannews.com/