GMA, others told: Confess sins, repent

Tell God of your sins, and then ask for His forgiveness.

This was the "message of hope" given by American evangelist Franklin Graham to President Arroyo and other national leaders who attended a breakfast yesterday in preparation for a four-day evangelical festival which begins today at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park.

In giving Mrs. Arroyo his "blessing of the message of hope," Graham also prayed for her survival from the renewed challenges on her administration, including a recent statement of Catholic bishops that called for "closure" on the questions regarding her legitimacy as president.

"May God bless you, Madam President, and this great country of yours. May you be given the strength you need to do the task in your hands," Graham said in his prayer during the National Leaders’ Breakfast at the Manila Hotel yesterday.

Graham had a closed-door meeting with Mrs. Arroyo and other leaders of the country to share with them "God’s message of hope, especially in light of the challenges facing the Philippines today."

"Talking to President Arroyo reminds me of the situation back in my country where politics also has to change as it has become vicious and marred by so many attacks," the evangelist stressed.

Graham said he told the President that there is hope for the country and that "God’s mercy would save the Philippines from crisis."

"God loves each and every one of us. We can all be saved if we just ask for forgiveness and allow our hearts to be changed. We just have to put our trust in God and He will save us," Graham noted.

The President was apparently attentive to the message, as she later joined in the group prayer. She was supposed to make a short speech to those gathered for the event, as confirmed by organizers, but did not deliver any message. Mrs. Arroyo was joined by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at the prayer breakfast.

Graham is the son of renowned evangelist Dr. Billy Graham, who also visited Manila in September 1977. He is in the country to carry on the legacy of his father by leading a four-day evangelical festival of prayer at the Quirino Grandstand.

In his speech, Graham challenged Filipinos to wage a war on five fronts: poverty, terrorism, HIV-AIDS, deterioration of culture and values, and the battle for the souls of mankind.

The evangelist said the war on poverty is a huge concern not only in the Philippines but in other developing countries as well. "We see problems of the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer. We have a responsibility to take care of the poor."

Graham also thanked Mrs. Arroyo for her significant contributions to the global war against terrorism, which he said could be won "if we seek God’s help."

He stressed that another growing concern was the spread of HIV-AIDS, which he believes will have infected over 100 million people in the next 10 years.

"We also have a war on culture. Marriages are falling apart and the basic structure of family is under attack," he lamented.

Finally, Graham said the most important war involves the soul. He said it is important that the people should know God through Jesus Christ for this war to be won.

The same gospel message will be presented to the general public during the four-day festival, which will include a "Pistang Pambata," a special affair for children to be held on Feb. 4 at 8 a.m.

The Metro Manila Franklin Graham Festival aims to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the greatest number of Filipinos, beginning in Manila and then continuing on to the whole nation.

The festival is part of a worldwide mission to mobilize people to hear the Gospel and be invited to respond, to be integrated in the local Church to worship and serve the Lord. It is the first evangelical festival in Asia and organizers hope to have similar events in the region.