Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, offered brief remarks and a prayer for the nation during the closing night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, acknowledging God’s hand in the provisions He has given to the United States.
“Sadly,” Franklin prayed, “as a nation we have forgotten who is responsible for all the freedoms, the liberties and the bounty that we enjoy. It has all come from You. Thank You.”
Also acknowledging that “all authority comes from You,” he prayed: “You are a great God, and we ask that if it be Thy will, that You’ll make America great once again.”
Addressing the convention in brief remarks, Franklin noted that former President Donald Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, had a “near-death experience” in surviving an assassin’s bullet the previous Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Franklin used the moment to share the hope of the Gospel.
“God spared his life. And when we go through those experiences, it changes us. It could cause us to examine our lives and to reevaluate our priorities—as you should. … I cannot explain why God would save one life and allow another one to be taken. I don’t have the answer for that. But one thing I do know is that God loves us and He wants us to be with Him in Heaven one day. And that’s through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. You see, the Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shouldn’t perish, but should have everlasting life.”
In his prayer, Franklin again referenced the shooting, which claimed the life of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief and father of two daughters, one of whom wrote that her dad “loved Jesus fiercely.”
“Thank You for saving the life of President Donald J. Trump,” Franklin prayed. “In his own words, it was You and You alone who saved him. We pray for the others that were injured on Saturday and for the family who lost their loved one. Put Your loving arms around them. Comfort them, and may they sense Your presence.”
Lamenting that “our nation is in trouble,’ Franklin continued, “We’re divided politically, racially, economically, with millions of people seeking refuge and hope in our dry and thirsty land. You’re the only one who can fix the complexity of the problems that we face today.
“We pray for President Trump, that You would give him wisdom, strength and a clear vision for the future of this nation and the task that is at hand. Continue to protect him from his enemies. I pray that You would surround him with men and women who will give him sound counsel and guidance.”
Franklin also prayed for former First Lady Melania Trump, the Trump children and grandchildren, and for vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha.
“As Your Word instructs, we also pray for the leaders of our nation, whether they’re Republican, Democrat or Independent. … We ask that You’ll unite our hearts. Bring us together, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, and we pray this in the mighty Name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Amen.”
Photo: Phil McAuliffe / Polaris / Newscom