Mr. Billy Graham passed away nearly three years ago on Feb 21, 2018. I can still remember when I was just a young boy watching these large indoor or outdoor sermons that were broadcast over radio and television. My grandmother was at her most attentive watching these prime time airs.
Today, you can find numerous videos of these sermons preserved on YouTube. A quick glance and you can find some from the ‘80s, ’70s, and even some in the ‘50s. In essence, Billy Graham preaches the word of God from the past to the present and toward the future.
A few weeks ago, my wife had reason to call the Billy Graham organization and she had an interesting conversation. The first question the individual on the other end asked was “What phone number did you call?”
To me, out of context, this is a very odd question. But there was a much deeper intent in the asking.
The Billy Graham televised sermons always ran a phone number at the bottom of the screen encouraging those who need prayer to call. Today, if you see an old video of Mr. Graham’s teachings and you call that number on the screen, you will get the prayer line. That is the story the individual told my wife.
So I did a bit of research. I went to YouTube, queued up a few, and called the number. Sure enough, I got the prayer line. I didn’t expect this. I was sure someone on the other end of the line was going to ask what I wanted on my pizza. But nope. There are 877 numbers, 800 numbers, and I don’t know how many there are.
While on the phone, I then asked an accented southern woman about this as I explained what and how I got their phone number. She kindly told me the same story.
Billy Graham, through all the years of his ministry and beyond, has kept every phone number displayed to a wide audience just for the simple fact someone, somewhere may call. Someone somewhere may need prayer.
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