Billy Graham Advises Repentance for 'American Lifestyle'
'My Heart Aches for America and Its Deceived People,' Says Graham
Given the rapid rate of the decline in Christian values throughout America, religious leaders are thinking of ways to reinvigorate faith communities and draw people closer to Christ.
Billy Graham is calling on people to repent as part of the "My Hope with Billy Graham" evangelistic outreach event scheduled for the week of Nov. 7, 2013. The event will also coincide with Grahams' 95th birthday.
The outreach scheduled for next year is part of a growing trend of evangelicals who are concerned with the state of this country and the lack of faith in Jesus Christ. It is part of a larger grassroots movement to bring people closer to God as well as giving them the tools to spread the good word.
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In what could be the largest undertaking in its 60-plus year history, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is trying to engage millions of Christians by asking believers to register as host "Matthews" at www.myhopewithbillygraham.org to receive training on how to share the word of God with others.
"We have seen God visit our nation in powerful and transformational ways in the past," Preston Parrish, vice president of "My Hope with Billy Graham," told WND.com.
"We are praying this will be a real moment of revival and awakening and transformation across our nation," he added.
This new undertaking of evangelism comes after Graham released a letter last month entitled, "My Heart Aches for America" where he described his late wife Ruth's concerns about the "terrible downward spiral of our nation's moral standards."
"If God doesn't punish America, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah," the letter read.
But one does not have to wait until next year to start. Beginning on Sept. 28 and continuing through Nov. 6, 40 Days to Save America is calling for repentance, prayer and fasting during the 40 days leading up to the presidential election and those who are interested are encouraged to visit www.40daystosaveamerica.com.
In his letter Graham blamed the continued "self-centered indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle" for societal ills.
"My heart aches for America and its deceived people," he said in the letter.
