While many people believe this country has evolved far beyond what it was in 1776, Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritans Purse, recently told "Washington Watch" that a common theme remains:
"Our country was born in adversity, and we're still under adversity today," says Graham (shown above). "Our country was in trouble 250 years ago; today, it's still in trouble, and the only hope for this country is God."
Believing prayer is the answer to the problem, the BGEA started 50 Days of Prayer for Our Nation on May 15. It will culminate on July 4, the day of America's 250th anniversary.
Graham thinks Americans should be praying for our leaders and thanking God for our nation, and he spoke on what gives him hope for the future.
"I see a real interest among young people today in knowing God and wanting answers," he said. "They've been told that sex is the answer, drugs [and] alcohol [are] the answer. None of that stuff satisfies; none of that fills what they're longing for."
While people are free to make their own choices, he says it is important for the Church to preach the gospel and share the good news with those searching for these answers.
Troy Miller, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, recently told American Family Radio that Americans take a lot of things for granted and wrongly assume that the rest of the world is just like us.
But liberty is unique to the United States.
"It's based on this fact that our founding fathers believed and understood that that liberty wasn't granted by a government, that liberty was granted to humanity by its Creator," Miller said.
Some may see America's success as chance or a fluke, but Miller asserted that it "did not get here by mistake."
Dr. Alex McFarland made similar comments last month, just before Memorial Day.
"What we have — the freedom, stability — we are so blessed," the apologist said, adding that "with great blessing comes great responsibility."
