According to a statistical study, 20-30 million Christians failed to cast their votes at the ballot box, last election. Franklin Graham reported the sobering truth at an October rally in which he urged Christians to sign a pledge of commitment. This commitment involved the commission for believers to pray, vote, and consider running for civic position themselves in the future.In an attempt to avoid repeating the previous mistake of selecting a candidate vehemently opposed to the biblical values that Graham frequently speaks against---namely, abortion and same-sex marriage---Franklin poignantly addressed the necessity of Christian action at the Michigan Capitol to an audience of an estimated 8,100 listeners. The rally was part of the Decision America Tour, which collectively involved prayer rallies at the 45 of 50 state capitols across the country.
The event was a powerful one. Many attendants responded to the evident presence of the Holy Spirit, some attesting to the fact that while running for political office had never before occurred to them, it now felt a personal calling. Graham acknowledged the fact that while the candidate selections may not exactly appeal to Christians---indeed, may require "holding their noses"---Christians hold the responsibility nonetheless to vote-in "biblical values."
Perhaps most menacing was Franklin's address of the weighty power held by the next executive-in-chief:"...The next president isn't going to nominate one (U.S. Supreme Court justice). It could be three, four, possibly five. And that would change the courts of our nation for the next 50 years or longer.
Society's spiritual and moral degeneration did not begin at the last election, however, Franklin wisely noted:"Secularism and communism, one and the same." Franklin continued, "They're both godless. And, while we were standing guard against godless communism, we were asleep as godless secularism has come into our country."
In response to Franklin's prophetic voice and personal conviction, may "we, the people" throw off the shackles of complacency and discouragement for the liberating light of Truth and Vigilance both tomorrow, November 8, and through the remainder of our years. Civic involvement is both a privilege and a duty; as Christ's ambassadors on earth, we are commissioned to restrain wickedness, taking care to elect leaders who enact justice by rewarding those who do good and punish those who do evil (Romans 13).
While Franklin gave clear guidelines for voting in keeping with biblical standards, he respectfully abstained from endorsing any specific candidate, leaving the decision of conviction to the Holy Spirit. The rally closed with Franklin's inspiring optimism: "I believe that you are going to see the Christian vote this coming November." So long, that is, as Christians acknowledge the poignant words of Edmund Burke:
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
