Famed evangelist Franklin Graham is warning that a “storm of persecution” will follow if the Supreme Court decides to legalize gay marriage across all 50 states.
Graham implored his 1.4 million Facebook followers on Tuesday to pray for the justices as they prepare to issue a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, a same-sex marriage case that could have profound implications for the definition of marriage across America.
“Pray for our Supreme Court justices as they consider the issue of same sex marriage for our nation — today pray especially for Justice Clarence Thomas who has served on the court for over 23 years,”Graham wrote. “I assure you this affects each and every one of us.”
He continued, “There will be a storm of persecution against all people who follow God and His standards if this passes.”
Graham’s comments were in reference to the ongoing case surrounding Barronelle Stutzman, a Christian florist who is locked in a legal battle with Washington state officials after being found guilty of discrimination for refusing to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.
Stutzman isn’t backing down, as she penned an op-ed in the Washington Post on Tuesday that defended her refusal. Graham’s Facebook post linked out to this article and commended the florist “for living by the biblical principles of her Christian faith, no matter the cost.”
Read Stutzman’s Washington Post op-ed here.
As TheBlaze previously reported, Graham’s Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse is trying to help business owners like Stutzman who say that the government is punishing them for standing by their Christian faith.
He recently announced the creation of the “Persecuted Christians-USA Fund,” which has been set up to help business owners who have refused to provide service to gay nuptials based on their faith.