A Call for Help | Billy Graham TV Special

((music playing)) I didn't really have answers I didn't really have no one to go to I'm kind of getting a little bit ((music playing)) emotional we live in a more isolated Society than ever before they don't know where to go and what to do you have no idea how to get out of it when people get desperate they do desperate things and they seeking help we knew people needed hope but what do we do now sometimes you just can't map it all out if you try to sit back and figure it all out you'll never get it figured out enough you just have to start ((music playing)) ((music playing)) helping heighten states of emergency Across the Nation as Corona virus virus emergency in the US the number of cases soaring official taking Extreme Measures to keep thetion some hospitals bracing for a surge beds are filling with patients as the I think in 2020 we didn't fully understand Co we are heading in the wrong direction America the anxious it was like a tidal wave coming and nobody saw it coming the like shutting downen danger of coron with a mounting sense of anxiety and depression the daily death pole is also headed in the Direction there is this overwhelming sense of danger and a helplessness I was so scared they feared for their lives some people were very desperate they were on lockdown they literally had no one to talk ((music playing)) to I was in Savannah I had a friend call me and he said Franklin have you thought about putting the gospel on TV and doing it in 60 seconds just a quick how they can be saved how they can have their sins forgiven and pray a prayer with them I thought absolutely we need to do that I just thought there's an urgency we need to do this and do it now people were dying I this was serious we didn't plan on this we didn't foresee this we weren't ready for it but I think if you try to sit back and and figure it all out out you'll never get it figured out enough you just have to get started we took a room there in the hotel and we filmed the First Gospel spot let's just try it see what it looks like I'm Franklin Graham maybe your heart has been gripped by fear as Franklin's desire was that the bgaa could provide a 247 prayer line for anyone at any time to call we did have a call center but was not manned 24/7 we had the gear up to equip an army of phone workers we have these 60-second gospel spots that we know are starting within the week so we immediately begin recruiting it takes a team of people you need somebody 24/7 we need to be prepared to be remote we've not ever built a remote call center across every time zone that we can and so I think the question we had was is this something that is actually feasible we were doing something we didn't know how to do it we just did it and then figured it out as we went down the road and I think that's kind of if that's my weakness I don't know maybe it's a strength we just started doing it New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio closing all New York today teachers begin classes completely online school administrators are Monday March 23rd is the day I'll never forget that was the day that Franklin Graham's gospel spots were first aired it was all coming down to this would we be ready get yours today hello I'm Franklin Graham maybe your heart has been gripped by fear as millions of others have because of the Corona virus pandemic but I want you to know that God loves you he made you he created you he knows everything about your life you don't need to be afraid Jesus said I'll never leave you nor forsake you if youve never invited Jesus Christ into your heart if you've never trusted him as your savior you can pray right now to do that just simply say this prayer I didn't know what the results would be I wasn't expecting the Earth to shake I wasn't expecting the phone to ring off the hook I just thought okay we put it out there see what happens in Jesus name if you pray that prayer call this number that's on the screen do it right now we've got someone who will pray with you talk with encourage you God ((music playing)) bless hello thanks for calling to bigr peine reach the peine how may I pray for you we were blown out of the water with the response I just remember the urgency like as soon as you end the call it's just back to back to back I said wow in 1 minute he was able to share the go and people are calling to protect him from this virus our network of phone workers are all across the country both in the building and serving from their home come into your courts with a heart of just praise and thanksgiving father you saying I gave my son to die on the cross for you and all you have to do is is accept that and believe that and ask the Lord to forgive you and we pray that you will receive this is the 62nd gospel spot Aid and our call volume went up and then it stayed up and it stayed like this for hours after because people were trying to answer and people were trying to get in touch with to talk with somebody you know the scripture tells us we were getting 10,000 calls a day it was nonstop calls was coming all day long and that has been incredible it's just something God did right and how can I pray for you today they're calling into you like they're looking for something and so most people they're open to talking to you and to hearing from you do you have any background with the church or it was a time that people really need prayer people were afraid I just especially remember calls from people in nursing homes it was just so helpless they felt so miserable they couldn't see their family members they couldn't leave the rooms it was just yeah it was heartbreaking my father being a person that's pretty much in control of things trying to be in control of things when K came around he couldn't visit he couldn't have visitors that just tore him ((music playing)) apart before he died my parents moved into a facility for retirees and he did not like it when he was there I'm locked in here with the co I can't get out of here I'm stuck here I think that was his breaking point was during Co he had a very complicated personality that was one of my brother's descriptions when we were planning for the funeral they said he had a complicated personal and he did cuz he had a hard life during Co my father was watching the news as he always did and and um the 62nd spot came on you may not know what the future holds there's so much uncertainty in the world today but I do know who holds that future and that's God he secured my future by sending his son Jesus Christ from Heaven to this earth to take my my mother was in the other room and she heard him make a phone call if you prayed that prayer call that number right now call it Jesus said I'll never leave you nor forsake you my mother heard him on the phone and she heard his side of the conversation he had called in response to the Franklin Graham commercial and she heard him say I've never had it explained to me that way and he prayed the prayer for forgiveness I was totally shocked when and my mother told me that he made that phone call he is not the type person that would make a phone call like that to somebody especially a stranger I got a a text from my mother this morning she know I was going to be talking it says he always believed in God and Jesus but never sure he was saved he had to earn it that's what he thought he had to earn it then after the phone call he he understood it was a gift from a loving Savior and he then began a personal relationship with Jesus the holy spirit of God takes the gospel and pierces the hearts of those that he's calling how does it work I don't know but it works we just have to be faithful to deliver it as I've gotten older it just really hits home with me when I realized that this was something so critical for my father's future the future that he's living right ((music playing)) now anger is on the rise and many are asking why according to a new poll 84% think that people are angrier than the previous generation ((music playing)) as much as we want to always have nice people call us nice people reaching out and supporting us that doesn't happen with the prayer line some of the calls was not easy but if you think it's going to be easy then uh maybe you shouldn't do this anything you do in life if it's worthwhile is not going to be easy okay are there going to be problems sure there'll be problems we're really kind of living in some uncharted waters you never know what's going to come in on the other side and frankly the world is coming to you I hate you everything you stand Anything Can Happen people just calling and just to yell at you kind of like hate calls just strange strange calls coming in she going going go this caller had called in from California he was yelling he was uh screaming and he was using curse words my first response was I want hang up honestly he was bitter he was ugly and he went on for a good two minutes I was taking notes as he was telling me little things about his life like he said I've got two sons at home eventually I was able to respond to him how can I pray for you today his response was it won't do any good because I'm agnostic I said by the way you said you've got two sons I've got two sons do you love your sons well of course I love them I said well you know God's the same way he loves you and he wants to spend time with you but there's a problem between you and God is sin that separates you from God and I went into how he could have a relationship with Jesus there with you first of all he he could have ended the conversation he could have hung up but for some reason he listened then it was like a light began to come on in his mind and by the end of the convers ation he said yeah you can pray for me let's pray together these things have not spoken there's a lot about answering these calls that are so amazing it's so rewarding re I remember the very first call that I received it was a lady who needed prayer and it was about her being left by her husband and Tears start falling down my eyes because I said oh this is she's going through what I went through I had a crisis in my life my wife was unhappy with me and she left me when I was going to work a UPS driver noticed that something was different about my demeanor and he said Armando what's going on I said my finances is collapsing my wife left me she's unhappy with me and he said Armando go home and pray and ask God to come into your life so I went home and I said God I know that you're real if you take me to a point where I lose my wife so be it if you take me to a point where I lose my finances so be it but I just want you to be in charge of my life and lo and behold two weeks later it was my wife with tears in her eyes and say I don't know what got into me would you forgive me I said yes because God has already forgiven me as well I accepted him as my Lord and Savior are you looking forward to seeing your sister again yeah now we've been married for 44 years you're on vacation too cuz I feel like the very first call that I received I don't know how I got done with that call I know that conflict very well because it happened to my family I shared what I went through I said my wife is still with me don't ever give up on God and I was hooked before Jesus was I began to realize that there's something I can share with people and make a difference in their life but I'm telling you that God is real Jesus is real you never know the people that call our phone line and so we just thank God for these men and women who answer of these calls it makes a ((music playing)) difference okay um so I've got video here of a young man that you talked to a little over a year ago okay just tell me that story of how you came to know Christ boy boy by boy boy it's ((music playing)) amazing I was just all over the place I was chasing drugs money chasing women I was just living a fast life I hit this time where I was facing a lot of obstacles where I was feeling alone and as much as I was going out there still partying trying to pretend like everything was okay everything was really not it might seem like you having a fun you having a lot of enjoyment But when reality hits there was no purpose in it and I didn't really have answers I didn't really have no one to go to I had problems and there was no solution there was no hope we want to reach people wherever they are so we we put the phone number out there anywhere they see that number hear that number they can pick up a phone and call you never know how God is going to use that to reach someone one day I came across this sermon of Billy Graham I think it was on YouTube and the Word was made I think it was random because I didn't know who he was when I saw it and I heard him started speaking I knew that in that moment that he was speaking what I needed to hear all of us are sinners but Jesus was tempted in every Point like as we are he went through every Temptation you've ever been through the way he teaches is is firm and his words was just overwhelming God can now for forgive you of all your sins because Jesus had finished God's plan for your salvation he said call this prayer line if you want to talk if you're going through any type of situation you have any questions about a relationship with Jesus Christ I just call that number that is on the screen there'll be someone there to talk with you pray with you and answer those questions I knew that I had to pick up the phone thank you for calling the Billy Grand prayer line this is Terry how may I pray for you today when someone calls in and wants to receive Christ that is so exciting I'm I'm all ears just share with me what's on your heart I just want to make sure that they understand the commitment that they're making I was telling her that I want to give my life to God it was very emotional I was just crying we talked about the sin of his life you you know but we also talked about more importantly that Jesus Christ went to the cross and took on the sins of the world I knew that I needed the Lord Jesus Christ and I made the decision that I was going to give my life to him I want to trust Jesus Christ I want to trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior she told me the things that I needed to hear you know as a new believer and I think that's very important because is you want to build your foundation on something strong it's been a year now for me and a year ago I would not be you know be talking about God not be emotional about God not feel the Joy about God not be talking about Christ and I thank him all the time how can you not thank someone that did something like that for you and it's just really amazing when you see that what uh what goes through your mind that's that's a great testimony I'm glad he called are you saying that I spoke to him I spoke to ((music playing)) him I'm just thankful I'm thankful that he's still serving God I'm thankful that the Lord chose me to speak to him that day I'm just thankful ((music playing)) to end in darkness my God's the god of Second Chances he won't give up on you through it all it's been the most wonderful Journey the Lord has changed my life in so many ways that I can't even really explain through the ups and the down even the moments when I didn't choose him he still chose me he he's just amazing already why do we see war and famine and all of these things well it's because of sin Jesus Christ came from Heaven to this earth to take our sins and he'll forgive you and he'll cleanse you and change your life starting today you prayed that prayer I want you to call right now that number that's on the screen call that number I called I wanted this so badly cuz I wanted ((music playing)) Jesus these 6C spots I think are critical especially for somebody body who is who is searching we've seen so many people give their lives to Christ once you answer the phone and you begin to see people are coming to Christ you get addicted to it that encourages me more to serve on the playing ((music playing)) line for the first time I understood what Jesus had done for me and my life has changed forever I'm honored to pray with them and just to celebrate the decision that they made for Christ hallelujah amen amen their eternity will be secured in heaven what a gift this is the best gift ever up up no matter where you've been well as you've been watching maybe you've saying to yourself I wish I could call the prayer line that's exactly what I need well you can call that prayer line first of all I want you to know that God loves you that's right he made you he created you he knows everything about you but it's sin your sins my sins that separate us from God and the Bible says because we've all sin and come short of God's glory and that the the wages the penalty of sin is death but you see the Bible tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shouldn't perish but should have everlasting life you see God wants you to have everlasting life with him in heaven but you have to confess your sins and repent repent means to turn to leave your sins if you got to be willing to turn repentance and then by faith to believe just by faith to believe on the name of Jesus Christ and trust him as your savior invite him to come into your heart and if you're willing to do that just you can pray this prayer right now with me just say God I'm a sinner I'm sorry forgive me I believe Jesus Christ is your son I believe that he took my sins to the cross and he died and shed his blood for me I want to turn from my sins and I want to invite Jesus to come into my heart I want to trust him as my savior and follow him as my Lord From This Day Forward Forever amen well if you pray that prayer call that number we've got people that are willing to pray with you and it's a prayer line that's open 24 hours a day so call that number right now I also want to just take a moment to say thank you to our partners uh those that have stood with us taking the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ the good news thank you for standing with us praying for us thank you for your financial help God bless you partner with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in this mission of proclaiming the Gospel through every means available with internet evangelism we reach the world with the good news 24 hours a day our rapid response chaplain step into the midst of tragedy to offer hope to the hurting and we continue to share God's love to those who need Jesus Christ through Franklin Graham festivals and will gram celebrations Jesus Christ is the only one in history who took your sins and died and shed his blood for your sin you may never have another chance like tonight to make a decision concerning Jesus join us in taking the gospel to the ends of the Earth visit billygraham.tv or call 87756 78989 as a thank you we'll send you the book hymns for the soul a collection of songs and stories from Billy Graham Crusades your gift can have an eternal impact call or log on ((music playing)) today would you like to be a part of something that can make a difference in a person's life be one of our counselors on the prayer line just say God when I say call that number on the screen they pick up a phone and call that number well we've got to have a team of men and women who can answer the phone hi thank you for calling the Billy Graham prayer line my name this prayer line is incredible you will have an opportunity to talk to people you would never imagine amen thank God the Billy gram Ministry trains us they train Us in Biblical teaching all of it takes is just opening an app downloading it and a willing heart just to share it's convenient because it's at home I can concentrate on the caller and he's waiting there for us loving Heavenly Father people are in such an urgent need you are giving the best gift to them that is the Lord Jesus Christ every call that you get it's a Divine appointment nothing is ever an accident we know there are a lot of people out there really hurting it truly is a front Lines Ministry there really is an impact in this you're really seeing Souls transformed from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light it's such a privilege and it is tremendous fun the Harvest is huge but the laborers are few so we need more laborers pray that the Lord sends laborers for the Harvest we need your help we need your participation be a part of this and God will use you to be that conduit to reach that person for Christ so be a part of it God bless you ((music playing))