Franklin Graham Urges Prayer In Advance Of Moscow Summit On Persecuted Church

The prominent evangelical leader and head of Samaritan’s Purse was encouraging Christians to pray for a major conference to be held in Moscow this autumn.



The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) are to bring together around 1,000 Christian leaders for a summit conference on the persecuted Church.

The World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians will bring together leaders from more than 50 countries and the conference will address what organisers say is “the mass persecution of Christians in the Middle East, Africa and other regions of the world, which is unprecedented in modern history”.

ROC head Patriarch Kirill has previously spoken out about the persecution of Christians and it was a theme of the statement released by him and Pope Francis after their historic meeting in Havana in February.

It has also been a frequent theme of Franklin Graham, who believes evangelicals and the ROC share common social values and can work together on many issues. He noted approvingly in a Facebook post yesterday Kirill’s statement in a February 16 interview: “I strongly believe that we should work together in order to save our society from de-Christianization – because, facing increasing atheistic pressure, which has become quite aggressive in some countries, Christians are being squeezed out of public life.”

Of the conference, Graham says: “No Church in modern history has suffered more than the Church in Russia. In the years under Communist rule, virtually all of the priests, pastors, and church leaders in Russia were imprisoned or executed by the Communists, and their graves are on the outskirts of Moscow and throughout the country serving as a reminder. So Moscow will be a fitting and meaningful location for this much-needed summit.”

He also refers to warnings from Prince Charles that “Christianity might be entirely erased from the land of its birth in the Middle East within five years” and says the summit will “shed a global spotlight on this crisis”.

The event will take place from October 28-30.

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Franklin Graham Urges Prayer In Advance Of Moscow Summit On Persecuted Church

Billy Graham: Don"t Fall Prey to Sexual Advances From Your Boss

The Rev. Billy Graham warns Christians not to fall prey to their boss’ inappropriate advances in a recent “My Answers” post on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s website.

Responding to a question regarding a married boss’ “uncomfortable” advances in the workplace, Graham says employees must “firmly and clearly” let the employer know that their behavior is neither appropriate nor welcome.

“You should not do anything to encourage him or give him an excuse to break up his marriage. The Bible is clear: ‘If sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. … Do not set foot on their paths,’ Proverbs 1:10, 15,” Graham says.

The famed preacher goes on to say that while it might be tempting to comply with the demands of a superior, the only way to end the inappropriate behavior is to address it directly.

“I know it might be difficult for someone in your position to resist your boss — but the only way to deal with this is directly and without compromise. If you don’t, he may only get more and more insistent — and it will become even harder to resist his advances,” the Baptist minister explains. “Let him know — firmly and clearly — that while you value your job, his attitude toward you must stop.”

Graham also encourages the employee to pursue all venues open to them at their job to put an end the boss’ advances.

The preacher also warns not to give in to the employer’s suggestions of marriage or a future life together.

“If he’s willing to be unfaithful to his present wife, what reason would you have for thinking he’d be faithful to you?” Graham questions.

The well-known religious leader has spoken numerous times on the topic of marriage and infidelity.

In an August 2008 “My Answers” post, the preacher said that while lust and love are often confused, there are defining characteristics for both.

“Love between a man and a woman is more than a physical attraction or an emotional feeling — although those have their place. True love is an act of the will — a settled commitment to seek what is best for the other person,” the preacher explained.

“True love doesn’t demand; true love gives. True love doesn’t ask, ‘What can I get out of this person?’ True love asks, ‘What can I do to help this person?’ To put it another way, true love isn’t self-centered; true love is self-giving,” Graham added.

Speaking on the topic of marriage in a June 2010 post, Graham explained that there are four methods for ensuring a strong and enduring marriage: “cherish, communicate, compromise, and Christ.”

“God gave you to each other; you are God’s gift to your spouse. Take time to express your love, both by your words and by little acts of thoughtfulness,” Graham encouraged, adding that the “enemy of love is our selfishness, but in marriage you can’t always have your own way, so learn to compromise with grace.”

Additionally, Graham suggested Christians “Make Christ the center of your lives and your marriage every day, by committing yourself to Him and His will. He is the solid foundation we need — in our lives, and in our marriages.”

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Billy Graham: Don"t Fall Prey to Sexual Advances From Your Boss

Billy Graham: Angels Can Appear as Ordinary Humans

Angels have been the object of man’s fascination since the beginning of time. In an effort to shed some light on these celestial entities, the Rev. Billy Graham offers his thoughts on the supernatural beings that never fail to captivate.

In a Q&A series published in The Kansas City Star last week, Graham expounds upon the mystique, power and purpose of angels.

“Angels are real. Just as real as you and I, ” said Graham, explaining that the invisible beings exist in large numbers, as evidenced by Hebrews 12: 22 (KJV): “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.”

The 97-year-old world-renowned evangelist says that, although angels are spiritual beings without physical bodies, they can take on human form. “On occasion they can appear as ordinary humans, or even as glorious celestial beings that reflect the majesty of God.” As an illustration of that glory, Graham used the example of Isaiah 6:4 where Christ’s throne was surrounded by angels whose voices shook the doorposts and thresholds.

Created to serve God, angels work to do His will and to protect His people — efforts that are largely hidden from man. “They also are part of a great unseen army that constantly fights against Satan and his servants of evil,” Graham added. “God’s promise should bring comfort to every believer: ‘He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways,"” (Psalm 91:11).

Although humans may be totally unaware of their presence, angels are still very much a part of their lives, explained the famed evangelical.

While man can appreciate angels despite his limited comprehension of them, one day humans will understand the totality of how the supernatural beings have positively influenced their lives. “We can thank God for them, and some day in Heaven we’ll realize just how much they’ve done for us, at God’s command. ‘Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"” (Hebrews 1:14).

Graham is one of America’s most admired and respected evangelists. According to a previous report from The Christian Post, a 2015 Gallup poll listed the Southern Baptist preacher as the 10th “Most Admired Man” in the U.S. — a list that he has made a record 59 times.

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Billy Graham: Angels Can Appear as Ordinary Humans

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