American Christians are looking for a miracle to save this country through all levels of society and government: socially, economically, and politically.

On March 30th, 2016, a sea of 7,500 men, women, and children from all parts of California began to flow onto the Sacramento State Capitol grounds, hours before the noon starting time of the Decision America Tour 2016 with Franklin Graham. By midday the throng had wrapped around the front and sides of the capitol building. They were there to pray for America and to hear the Gospel message of evangelist Franklin Graham.

Since their first stop in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 5th, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has embarked on a journey of spiritual revival to all 50 state capitols. Sacramento was its 13th stop. Its mission is to provide Bible believing Christians a “real-world” means to bring about the miracle of restoration.

In this critically important election year, Franklin Graham (63) son of well-known evangelist of 67 years, Billy Graham (97) has set about to share the three vital components of this challenge with all who will listen: Pray, Vote, and Engage.

Graham’s program is modeled after the work of Nehemiah in the Old Testament whom God sent to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls and admonish the people to repent, turn away from their sins, and come back to God. Graham stressed throughout the hour that the fate of America is in the balance and depends solely on how Christians stand up and take it back from the immorality and wrongdoing prevalent in today’s society.

As with the people of Jerusalem who, after finally repenting, again won favor with God, Franklin preached that God will give America favor once more when its people stand up for the truth and principles of the Bible and the “old fashioned” values on which our founding fathers established in America.

Franklin stressed that this shows the need to first confess and pray fervently for one’s own sins, those of their community and country and even for those of their ancestors.

He also stressed that, next to prayer, the most important thing a Christian can do is vote; pointing out that in the last election only 20 to 30 million evangelical (biblical) Christians voted. Franklin quoted the words of his father Billy, from 1952, the year he was born: “It is the duty of every individual at election time to study the issues and candidates…..and to vote.” He urged people to vote for those who are morally and spiritually in line with the Church and will protect the liberties we enjoy. Even if one must vote for the “lesser of two evils”…vote. “Unless America turns back to God, repents of its sin, and experiences a spiritual revival, we will fail as a nation. God honors leaders in high places who honor biblical truth and principles and are willing to live by them,” Franklin recited.

In 1976, when Franklin was 27, two years after he became a Christian, his father preached that Christians need to get involved in the political process, including public service at all levels. He challenged all who have a good foundation in Jesus and the Bible to step up and offer themselves for public office, regardless of their party. There are many places they can seek votes, from city council where they can become mayor to serving on commissions, and especially school boards, on up to the federal level.

Feeling the Holy Spirit standing amongst 7,500 hands joined in prayer gave attendees the assurance that they are not alone in this. Thunderous applause arose as Franklin sent the thousands of Californians home to their work by urging them to all “become community organizers for God and political activists for God!”

Instead of the traditional “altar call” the prayer rally ended with a call to text one’s decision to accept Christ, to make the Decision America Tour pledge and receive more information.

In an email, a spokesperson for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said, “Of the thirteen Decision America Tour events we’ve held so far, Sacramento was our largest with 7,500 people in attendance at the Capitol. This was a tremendous response. People really do care deeply about the direction of our country and believe that we need to pray for our nation and our leaders now more than ever.”