Franklin Graham on the Loss of His Father: Feels Like 'the Armor Is Missing'
05-02-2018
CBN News John Jessup
NEW YORK – As his father's namesake and ministry successor, Franklin Graham carries the legacy
of the late Rev. Billy Graham perhaps more than anyone else.
He also benefited from a bird's eye view of how his father conducted himself as a husband and family
He also benefited from a bird's eye view of how his father conducted himself as a husband and family
man, an evangelist, and in his personal relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Franklin writes about all of that and more in his new book, Through My Father's Eyes, released
Franklin writes about all of that and more in his new book, Through My Father's Eyes, released
Tuesday. In an interview with CBN News at the New York headquarters of publisher HarperCollins,
he described the 12-year project as a labor of love.
"I want this book to be about not Billy Graham," he explained. "I want people to see that it wasn't
"I want this book to be about not Billy Graham," he explained. "I want people to see that it wasn't
Billy Graham that made the place in history. It was God behind Billy Graham that put him there,
and it's because Billy Graham believed God. Billy Graham believed the Word of God."
Franklin Graham's explanation mirrors his father's own words, which reflected a deep yet sincere
Franklin Graham's explanation mirrors his father's own words, which reflected a deep yet sincere
humility he maintained even into death. Two months after the evangelist died, some still ponder
who will be the next Billy Graham? Franklin shared his take with CBN News.
"You know, I don't know? I'm not an evangelical leader," he said. "I'm just going to continue
"You know, I don't know? I'm not an evangelical leader," he said. "I'm just going to continue
preaching the Gospel; keep giving an invitation to lost people to put their faith and trust in
Jesus Christ."
"I guess the question some people ask is, 'Who is the next celebrity evangelist?'" he continued.
"I guess the question some people ask is, 'Who is the next celebrity evangelist?'" he continued.
"I have no clue. My father never wanted to be a celebrity. Maybe that's why God used him."
Graham, who leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, believes
Graham, who leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, believes
Christians should be singularly focused on winning souls for Christ.
Yet, he also sees the need for confrontation, especially in what he describes as today's anti-Christian
Yet, he also sees the need for confrontation, especially in what he describes as today's anti-Christian
culture. Graham recently targeted GQ Magazine for dismissing the Bible as a book not worth reading
and comedienne Michelle Wolf for her crass jokes at the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner.
"I want Christians not to be seduced by this culture in which we are living and not to be led astray,"
"I want Christians not to be seduced by this culture in which we are living and not to be led astray,"
he explained. "And I think there needs to be a voice that speaks out because there aren't many people
who speak out."
Graham told CBN News he speaks out because others are too afraid: "I think when you speak up,
Graham told CBN News he speaks out because others are too afraid: "I think when you speak up,
God is going to honor that."
From the dysfunction in politics to the division across America, which has even seeped into Christian
From the dysfunction in politics to the division across America, which has even seeped into Christian
churches, he believes the only key to turning things around is prayer.
"If churches pray — and I mean real prayer — God will hear those prayers, and I think God will
"If churches pray — and I mean real prayer — God will hear those prayers, and I think God will
answer those prayers," he said. "Prayer can mean change. Prayer can move mountains. It can
drain swamps."
Graham described the hole the loss of his mother, Ruth, caused in his life — spiritually and emotionally.
Graham described the hole the loss of his mother, Ruth, caused in his life — spiritually and emotionally.
"I felt there was a covering with the prayers of my mother, and I don't have that covering anymore.
I don't feel that protection," Graham explained.
He told CBN News the loss of his father – who prayed fervently for the family in the final years as
his health declined — has created another chasm.
"And now that my father is gone, I feel like there is an exposure. It's not a mantle, but it's like an
"And now that my father is gone, I feel like there is an exposure. It's not a mantle, but it's like an
armor. A little bit of the armor is missing, so it makes me pray even harder – not only for myself
but for my family, for my children and my grandchildren," he said.
"The prayer burden has shifted to me as it relates to my family, and I think for the last 10 years,
"The prayer burden has shifted to me as it relates to my family, and I think for the last 10 years,
he was the prayer warrior in the family," Graham said.
READ: Why Billy Graham Was a Modern Moses: Anne Graham Lotz Points to Powerful Prophetic
Significance of His Death
READ: Why Billy Graham Was a Modern Moses: Anne Graham Lotz Points to Powerful Prophetic
Significance of His Death
Watch interview: Franklin Graham
