Rusty Benson
AFA Journal associate editor
March 2016 – Franklin Graham has lost hope – not in God, but in America’s political parties and politicians who have surrendered their God-given positions of leadership to secular influences that have damaged every American institution. The result may bring an end to the greatest nation in history.
“I don’t have any faith in the Democratic Party. I don’t have any faith in the Republican Party,” he said recently. “And I don’t have any faith in the Tea Party, whoever they are. The only hope for our country is God.”
Graham has expressed such sentiments many times in recent weeks to explain why he launched Decision America Tour 2016. Between now and early autumn, Graham plans to take his message to all 50 state capitals, urging Christians to take seriously their responsibility to honor God in their homes, in their public lives, and at the ballot box.
In an article published in Billy Graham Evangelical Association’s own Decision magazine, Graham wrote that America’s enduring foundations have come under vicious assault, leaving Christians the target of antagonism and hostility from “every seat of power in this nation – government, media, courts, and education.”
“I believe we are perilously close to the moral tipping point for the survival of the United States of America,” he said.
Graham, 63, is the son of internationally known evangelist Billy Graham, now 97. He now serves as president and CEO of BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief agency.
Graham told NBC News on January 5 that he is not affiliated with any party because the whole American political system is godless and operating contrary to the Founding Fathers’ vision. So rather than promoting a party or candidate, Graham is calling his Decision America Tour 2016 a “campaign for God.” He hopes the effort will help spark a national spiritual awakening.
The 50-state bus tour made its first stop on January 5 in Des Moines, Iowa. Speaking from the steps of the state capitol (photo above), Graham told a crowd of over 2,000 chilly Iowans who had gathered at the noon hour that the most important thing Christians can do is pray.
At the same time, he strongly encouraged Christians to put feet to their prayers by becoming politically active, voting according to their Christian beliefs, and running for office.
Making application from the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, Graham said a national revival can begin only when Christians repent of their own sins. He led the crowd in a time of confession focusing on corporate and personal sins.
He also challenged listeners to examine their own lives in light of God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, and to organize or join a local prayer group. 
