Billy Graham reflects on the end of life

The world’s most famous evangelist has written a book on finishing life well.

Billy Graham, 92, preached to millions of people during his lengthy ministry career but has been less active in recent years due to ill health.

In his latest release – his first for five years – Graham has penned ‘Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well’.

In the text, Graham shares his personal experience of growing older, but also teaches some important lessons on how to view our time here on earth.

He says the Bible makes it clear that God has a specific reason for keeping us here.

“The best way to meet the challenges of old age is to prepare for them now, before they arrive,” says Graham.

“I invite you to explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but also the hope and fulfillment – and even joy – that can be ours once we learn to look at these years from God’s point of view and discover His strength to sustain us every day.”

Graham's publisher, Matt Baugher, vice president and publisher at Thomas Nelson, calls Nearing Home one of the most important works Graham has ever written and one of his most vulnerable.

“Time catches up to all of us,” Baugher says. “At his age, with all that has come before, he is in a unique position to guide all of us on what it means to finish well in this life. God bless Billy Graham.”

Graham has preached the Gospel in person to more people than any other person in history. According to his staff, as of 1993 more than 2.5 million people have stepped forward at his crusades to accept Christ as their personal Saviour.

As of 2008, Graham's lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion.