BILLY GRAHAM

DEAR DR. GRAHAM: I read a newspaper report recently saying that young people today aren’t really interested in God or the church. Is this true, in your experience? Why is this happening?

— Mrs. N.C.

DEAR MRS. N.C.: Some recent polls do seem to indicate that young people are less involved in churches than previous generations; some young people, in fact, indicate they have no religious beliefs or are only vaguely religious.

Despite this, we have found that large numbers of young people today are open to the Gospel, and they have a hunger to know God in a personal way. They have seen the emptiness and hopelessness of life without God, and they sense in their hearts and minds that there must be something more to life — and that “something” is God. In our own ministry, we have seen large numbers of young people across the world come to Christ in recent years, not only through the public preaching of the Gospel but through the internet. The Bible’s promise is still true: “For the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12).

At the same time, it’s true that our society is becoming more and more secular. Moral and spiritual values that used to undergird our society are being eroded, and tragically, many people (both young and old) go through life without ever thinking about God or eternity. Like ancient Israel, we’re in danger of becoming morally bankrupt: “Everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25).

Can this be reversed? It happened to ancient Israel — and it can happen to us, as we face our need for God and turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. Pray for the young people you know, and ask God to help you point them to Jesus Christ, who alone can turn their darkness into light.

Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28201; call 877-2-GRAHAM, or visit the website for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.