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Editor’s note: On Monday, June 3, 2019, Platt published a statement on his prayer for the president on McLean Bible Church’s website. Read it here.
Southern Baptist pastor David Platt prayed for Donald Trump during a church service in Virginia on Sunday, a day designated by Franklin Graham as special day of prayer for the president.
Platt is teaching pastor at McLean Bible Church and former president of the International Missionary Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. McLean Bible Church has campuses throughout the D.C.-area, including in Vienna, Virginia.
In a video published online Sunday, Platt was seen praying for President Trump. The caption of the video states that the prayer took place at McLean Bible Church.
Trump, clasping a white hat in his hand, stood still as Platt placed an arm on his back. Both men closed their eyes as Platt began to pray.
During the three-minute prayer, Platt asked God for mercy and wisdom and that He would guide the president in his decisions.
“We stand right now on behalf of our president and we pray for Your grace and Your mercy and Your wisdom on him,” Platt said.
Platt also prayed that Trump would know how much God loves him.
“So we pray that he would look to You,” Platt prayed. “That he would trust in You, that he would lean on You. That he would govern and make decisions in ways that are good for justice and good for righteous and equity, every good path. Lord, we pray that you would give him all the grace he needs to govern in ways…that lead to peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way.”
Platt also prayed that God would give Trump’s family strength, clarity, and wisdom.
The McLean Bible Church teaching pastor included other U.S. leaders in his prayer.
At the conclusion of the prayer, Trump shook Platt’s hand. The two exchanged a few words and Trump appeared to say something to the audience. He did not have a microphone, however, so it’s unknown exactly what he said.
After applauding along with the audience, Trump exited the stage.
WATCH: Trump prays at the McLean Bible Church with Pastor David Platt in the wake of the Virginia Beach mass shooting pic.twitter.com/cpqs7efVYg
— Bloomberg Originals (@bbgoriginals) June 2, 2019
Franklin Graham is one of President Trump’s most vocal and controversial supporters. On Thursday, May 30, Graham had called on Christians across the country to make Sunday, June 2 a day of prayer for President Trump.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, Graham wrote:
“Anyone around the world can turn on the news for 5 minutes and understand why this is so critically important. We need to pray for President Trump as he carries out his duties leading this nation, that God will give him wisdom in every decision he makes and protect him from his enemies who would like to see him fall. I have reminded many that if the President succeeds, we all succeed—not just Americans, but freedom-loving people around the world.”
In response to the news of Graham’s organized prayer, Trump tweeted, “We will all stick together and WIN! Thank you Franklin.”
While some viewed Graham’s call to a special day of prayer for the president as political, Platt has made it clear that Christians do not have a choice when it comes to honoring leaders.
“Some of us, if we’re honest, held Barack Obama in high honor, now have a hard time showing honor for Donald Trump. Others of us have much honor for Donald Trump and had a hard time showing honor for Barack Obama,” Platt said during a church sermon, according to The Christian Post.
“But brothers and sisters, the Bible doesn’t give us a choice here,” he said. “This is a command. And if Nero was worthy of honor in the first century, then our president and our leaders are worthy of honor in the twenty-first century.”
On Sunday, Platt reminded the audience that they should pray for President Trump “day in and day out,” not just on designated special days. He cited 1 Timothy 2, which states in verses 1-2 “that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Trump visited McLean Bible Church “to visit with the pastor and pray for the victims and community of Virginia Beach,” according to the White House.
The day prior, Trump had expressed sympathy to the residents of Virginia Beach after 12 people were killed at the city’s municipal center on Friday.
Faithfully Magazine is a news and culture publication centered on Christian communities of color.
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