“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10)
Billy Graham lived three months beyond his ninth decade of life by reason of strength and by God’s divine purpose. Very few preachers have lived a life totally committed to prayer like Billy Graham.
Yet, Billy Graham wasn’t without suffering.
It is reported that Reverend Graham suffered prostate cancer, hydrocephalus, Parkinson’s disease, throbbing headaches, and had broken 18 ribs from several different falls. His son, Franklin, says when his dad suffered pneumonia several years ago, it took a lot out of him, but he kept on praying in his preaching voice.
Billy Graham prayed with every U.S. President since WW II. Most of them testify how Billy strengthened their faith and renewed their commitment to Christ.Billy has preached to millions and millions of people since 1949 in spite of all the health issues in his life. Maybe he knew how to sing, “Bring the Rain!”
“I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I’ve gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rainI am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what’s a little rain
So I prayHoly, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty”
(Songwriters: Billy Montana / Helen Darling)
Ninety-nine years of praying through all manner of circumstances, yet Billy Graham knew how the story would end.
“I look forward to death with great anticipation, to meeting God face to face.”
“Every human being is under construction from conception to death.”
“Every day is a gift from God, no matter how old we are.”
“I have discovered that just because we grow weaker physically as we age, it doesn’t mean that we must grow weaker spiritually.”
Just as trees drive their roots deeper and deeper seeking the living waters deep beneath the soil, Billy Graham knew how to always pray in sincerity for others and for himself: “Bring the Rain!” He knew he was seeking the “Living Waters” of God’s Holy Spirit to enable him to endure to the end of seven, eight, and nine decades and almost ten!
