1 Timothy 4:12, NIV, says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

The Bible has many examples of younger people being used by God. David defeated Goliath and later became king. Daniel was taken from his home but continued to stand firm in his faith. Josiah was made king when he was only eight years old. Mary become the mother of Jesus when she was a teenager. Even Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14, NKJV).

Billy Graham understood the importance of reaching young people with the Gospel and even spent time in his early ministry as an evangelist with Youth For Christ.

Read 10 quotes from Billy Graham on young people:

• “What is the most difficult word for young people to pronounce? It’s the word no. When we say no [to what is against God], He will help us to stand by it.” from Decision magazine

• “Young people are caught up in whatever appears to be the most bizarre. They look for truth and settle for folly.” from Storm Warning

• “Far too many young people coming of age today have no spiritual or emotional roots. They have been deprived of values by an agnostic and contemporary culture.” from Storm Warning

• “I have found that most young people really want us to spell out a moral code. They may not accept it or believe it, but they want to hear it, clearly and without compromise.” from Calling Youth For Christ

• “Don’t rebel, but give God the opportunity to change your life and help you over the problems of youth, for they are many.” from Answers to Life’s Problems

• “I don’t believe that young people today can live clean, pure lives without help from God. The peer pressure is too great and the temptations they see in the movies and on television, and what they hear in music is too much. Only Christ can give them the power to say no.” from Wisdom for Each Day

• “Our youth are desperately searching for purpose and meaning in their lives. They are searching for fulfillment … I believe that a return to Biblical conversion, faith, and conviction would have a great impact in our day.” from Breakfast with Billy Graham: 100 Daily Readings

• “Do young people have the moral stamina to carry through in case of economic depression? … The real tests of the [younger] generations have not yet come, but they are on their way.” from The Jesus Generation

• “Millions of young people are shifting from one side to the other. They are like unguided missiles filled with energy and ambition and yet somehow not ‘fitting in.’ Peer pressure leads them astray … [and] in thousands of churches they are led astray theologically.” from Till Armageddon

• “There is a great identity crisis among students today. Who am I? What is the purpose of life? … The Bible has a direct answer to this great big philosophical question and unless God seals the vacuum among youth today, then some other ideology will, because young people must have a faith. They must believe in something to find fulfillment in their lives.” from Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador

The darkness of our modern world continually attacks young people with messages that are opposed to the Gospel. The consistent influence of celebrities, social media influencers, athletes and more is an ever-present danger, threatening to put young people on the wide path, “the way that leads to destruction” (Matthew 7:13, NKJV). It’s our prayer that you’ll join us in praying for younger people today, that the Lord will raise them up to be beacons of light that point the world to our savior, Jesus Christ.

Read more quotes from Billy Graham.