With moonlight leading the way, Billy Graham walked into the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. He was a young evangelist at a crossroads. Would he abandon his faith and career because the gospel seemed outdated? He laid his Bible on a tree stump and, with tear-stained eyes, prayed.
Friend’s Doubts Influenced Billy Graham
His friend and fellow evangelist Chuck Templeton was experiencing his own crisis of faith. Chuck prodded him: “People no longer accept the Bible as inspired the way you do. Your faith is too simple. Your language is out of date.” These words wounded Billy, causing him to doubt. Did a whale actually swallow Jonah? Did Noah and the animals survive a flood on the ark?
These questions plagued him. Worse yet, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Billy would preach his largest crusade yet in Los Angeles within weeks. How could someone doubting the Bible’s miracles convince others to accept the miracle of salvation? Wouldn’t he be a hypocrite?
Billy Graham’s Life-Changing Prayer
That night in the woods, he prayed: “O God! There are many things in this Book I do not understand. There are many problems for which I have no solution. There are seeming contradictions. Some areas don’t align with modern science. I can’t answer some of the philosophical [knowledge about existence or reason] and psychological [the mind and behavior of people] questions Chuck and others are raising.
But, Father, I am going to accept this as Your Word—by faith! I will let faith transcend my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word!”
After that prayer, peace and assurance flooded over him. When he stepped onto the platform in Los Angeles weeks later, he preached as a changed man.
Confidence and Conviction in the Message of Salvation
Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst sent a telegram to his editors: “Puff Graham,” meaning to promote him. Suddenly, Billy Graham made national news—not because of clever marketing, but because he preached with newfound conviction.
Well-known radio personality Stuart Hamblen gave his life to Christ through the crusade and promoted Graham on his program. Billy Graham’s sermons often began with three simple words: “The Bible says…” He claimed not to have all the answers but to trust the One who did.
Your Doubts
Graham’s prayer in those mountains didn’t erase all his questions—but it taught him that faith could carry what his mind couldn’t hold. Now consider your own journey:
What doubts about Scripture or faith have you been afraid to voice—even to God? What would it look like to pray Billy Graham’s prayer in your own words today? Where is God asking you to choose trust even when you don’t have all the answers? How might your ministry or witness change if you moved from demanding certainty to embracing faith?
Consider drawing a scene of your own tree stump moment.
Sources and References:
Hansen, Collin. “Turning Point: The Day God Settled the Bible Question for Billy Graham.” Christian History Magazine, Issue 83, 2004, Christian History Institute. https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/turning-point-mary-issue. Christian History Institute+1
“No Other Gospel.” Sermon by Allen Snapp, 19 Jan. 2014, Grace Community Church – Corning, Painted Post, NY. https://www.gracecorning.org/messages/sermon/2014-01-19/no-other-gospel. Grace Community Church: Painted Post, NY+1
White, Rev. Brent. “Billy Graham’s ‘Tree Stump Prayer’ Echoes the Virgin Mary’s Famous Prayer.” 19 Dec. 2014. https://revbrentwhite.com/2014/12/19/billy-grahams-tree-stump-prayer-echoes-the-virgin-marys-famous-prayer/ Rev. Brent White
“The Power of Publicity.” Billy Graham Library Blog, 10 Jan. 2024. https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-billy-grahams-preaching-bible/