My Answer

on Sep 30, 2026

Family at church on Sunday. Dreamstime/TCA

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Some people say that we should honor God on Sunday by not working. My husband is a policeman and he doesn’t have a choice about his work schedule. There are some people who think he is being disobedient to the Lord because he can’t go to church. They act as though on Sundays all crime stops for the day. Isn’t this absurd? – S.R.

A: How wonderful it would be to reserve Sunday as a day of no work. Years ago, very few places of business (to buy and sell) were open. It’s been heartbreaking to see the Lord’s Day secularized. It is a wonderful thing to see families leaving their homes on Sunday and going to church together.

On the other hand, Christians must use common sense in navigating life’s responsibilities. Imagine if our hospitals were closed on Sundays. Imagine if our fire departments and 911 dispatchers were off duty on Sundays. Imagine if our military bases were closed on Sundays. Imagine if missionaries, pastors, and chaplains refused to serve those in need. We should cherish our liberty in Christ, but Christianity is not intended to be encumbered with prohibitions. Our first and greatest commandment is to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

It seems that if a person has the option to take a job that permits him or her to reserve Sunday that would be the best option, but that isn’t always the case. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7, NKJV).

As believers in Christ, we have the privilege to take our cares to the Lord, praying earnestly and asking Him to help us make the right decisions about living our lives in a pleasing way.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)