Franklin Graham Dumped from the National Day of Prayer
The Rev. Franklin Graham was bounced from the opportunity to pray at the Pentagon on the National Day of Prayer (May 6). According to Col. Tom Collins, the military dumped Rev. Graham because, “We’re an all-inclusive military.”
The Rev. Graham is likely not feeling particularly included right now. It appears that the inclusiveness of the military does not extend to those who believe that the Bible says Jesus is, “The way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
What has Franklin Graham actually said? Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, he told NBC News, “We’re not attacking Islam but Islam has attacked us. The God of Islam is not the same God. He’s not the Son of God of the Christian or Judeo-Christian faith. It’s a different God, and I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion.”
In a later op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal, Graham wrote that he did not believe Muslims were evil because of their faith, but “as a minister … I believe it is my responsibility to speak out against the terrible deeds that are committed as a result of Islamic teaching.”
This week he refused to back down, even in the face of anti-Christian discrimination, saying that Muslims are “enslaved” by their religion. What does he mean by this? He explained further in his Fox and Friends interview with Gretchen Carlson.
“I love Muslim people…. I want Muslims everywhere to know… that Christ can come into their heart and change them…. They don’t have to die in a car bomb… to be accepted by God…. They can be free through faith in Jesus Christ and Christ alone.” The Rev. Graham, as the President and CEO of the charitable organization Samaritan’s Purse has demonstrated his love for Muslims by delivering compassionate care in the name of Jesus to millions of Muslim children around the world for decades.
In a written response to the military’s decision, Graham expressed regret over the verdict, but graciously added, “I regret that the Army felt it was necessary to rescind their invitation to the National Day of Prayer Task Force to participate in the Pentagon’s special prayer service. I want to express my strong support for the United States military and all our troops. I will continue to pray that God will give them guidance, wisdom and protection as they serve this great country.”
Task force chairwoman Shirley Dobson said in a written statement that U.S. leaders have called for a day of prayer during times of crisis since 1775, but the tradition is under attack. (Learn the History of the National Day of Prayer). “Enough is enough,” said Dobson, wife of Christian leader James Dobson. “We at the National Day of Prayer Task Force ask the American people to defend the right to pray in the Pentagon.”
Graham, who has a son fighting in Afghanistan, said the upcoming Day of Prayer event is not about “Islam versus Christianity. We’re in war. And we need to pray for our military. We need to pray for our president and all those in authority. That’s what the National Day of Prayer is all about.”
Join the Conversation
What do you think of the military’s decision to disinvite the Rev. Franklin Graham from their observation of the National Day of Prayer?
Thanks for the article. We share some of the same points in our posts. We should not “need” a National Day of Prayer to go before the throne of God to intercede on behalf of our elected officials. May be God’s purpose in all of this is a revival of our hearts toward Him.
The decesion by the miliary was based on Franklin G. own remarks ie saying the muslin religion is evil…
as in the USA today and in the armed forces..ours…there are many of the Muslin faith plus in the wars
that our troops are in..many of the people in those places are also Muslin and not all key word are of the
extreme element in that faith..many are not..to have a person who called Muslin evil speak in the armed
forces for a national prayer day would have been very disruptive in many important area. Grahma but
later key word..later qualified his remarks. It is not Shirley Dobson her place to chair the National Day
of Prayer as this is a national..which should be then appointed only by the government not a one religious
affilation. A president of our country today..with the many vital important issues of the day and time..
has to consider many issues…officially he cannot play favorites..afficially with any one religious organization
in the USA..he is the president of USA with all the diversity in religions here today and people. The ministers
and religious organizations enjoy very good tax breaks…they are not to become political entity situations
themself..we elect a President of all key word the people in the USA..he is not nor can be the minister
officially of the USA ..no other minister can be the President as the same time of…something some of
the religious ministers really need to think about…be a minister not a president of the USA .what would
be their answers then to the many questions of today? Ministers are ministers and there are some very
good ones…Presidents are presidentsand Obama is a statesman president..which in the last situations
is solely needed .
Sam, Thanks for sharing. I’m not sure why you highlight the President, since my post never mentioned him and he really was not involved in the decision. As far as your reasoning on Graham’s remark, I believe they are being taken out of context. I placed them in their appropriate context in my post. The real issue for me is that anything is acceptable now-a-days except a Christian who proclaims Christ as the only way to the Father.
I proclaim Jesus Christ as the son of God, and the savior of the world, He works wonders today,thru the holy ghost. HE has blessed me.
The Evil one is working also, he has decieved many from the beginning of time.
We are asked to “test the spirts”
Many things are happening now, preparing us for the end time, we will be asked to choose who we believe in.
I applaud Franklin Graham, he is not affraid to speak of christ , in a time when the evil one has many working to destroy christianity.
One of the main reasons, America is America is because Christ taught us to love the sinner and hate the sin. Therefore, all people of every nation, every religion, and culture have been welcomed here. I appauld Mr. Graham remarks for standing on the foundation set forth in the scriptures of the Bible and stating the truth about the Muslim religion. While his actions show’s his love for the Muslim people. Thankfully we will be judged according to the Word and not Washington’s policies on this issue.