A Billy Graham Secret

In The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham, one of Reverend Graham’s assistants relates a story about an appearance on the Today show. When he arrived, a program producer offered to escort Graham to a private room for prayer before the broadcast. The assistant expressed thanks for the kind offer but said Graham would not need the room. The producer seemed somewhat stunned that a world-famous Christian leader would not want to pray before an interview on national television.

"Mr Graham started praying when he got up this morning, he prayed while eating breakfast, he prayed on the way over in the car, and he'll probably be praying all the way through the interview," responded the assistant.   

Authors Marshall Shelley and Harold Myra included this anecdote about unceasing prayer to serve as one example of the well-developed prayer life of Reverend Graham. Our leadership responsibilities may not reach past leading a small group or our children. However, that responsibility needs 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) power, “Pray continually.”

Many of us miss the opportunities we have. How many minutes do we usually wait for an appointment in a quiet lobby? We may get thrown out if we kneeled and prayed to a chair (which is what it could look like to an unbeliever). Instead we can pray silently for the burdens of family and friends.

Rather than get frustrated waiting for a red light to turn, could we “pray without ceasing,” (NIV or NKJV)? I would not suggest closing your eyes until horns behind you start blaring. To pray continually becomes a focus of the mind. In every situation, during every minute, we must seek God’s help. We are weak, and we do not have all the answers. Our Lord does.

After extensive interviews of Billy Graham Evangelist Association staff members and some well-known people, Myra and Shelley analyzed the leadership characteristics of Graham. A commitment to prayer was one of those important leadership traits. You can find The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham by Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley (Zondervan, 2005, 2008) here:

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A Quiet Place to Pray

Have we become so busy and have so many people and duties swirling around us that we can’t find a solitary place to pray? Do we want to pray but can’t because our mind is racing?

The Bible records Jesus had the same issue. In Mark 6:30-31, it states, “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"

The Apostles and Jesus got in a boat to sail to a solitary place. However, the crowd ran along the shore and met them when they landed. Perhaps Jesus’ experience reminds us of leaving the chaos of work. Then, go home to three kids, who are jumping on the couch throwing pillows.

According to Philippians 4, the first step is to stop fighting the noise and the worry. Rather, tell God our frustrations. Pray our muddled thoughts and fears.

  ► In the doctor’s office lobby, pray about the test results.

      ► Waiting for the police, pray our fears about the accident.

      ► In the executive secretary’s office, pray about what the boss might say.

      ► Waiting on construction, pray about being late.

      ► When our coworker is yelling, pray about our response.

If our brain won’t stop buzzing, then write our concerns. Scribbling our prayers can bring our mind into alignment with his will.

John W. Peterson got it right. Remember his chorus? In Sunday school or VBS, many of us sang “Why Worry When You Can Pray?”

After we express our concerns, listen. While we are in pandemonium, God will bring peace. We will experience Philippians 4:5-7, “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."