Protests, politics, and partisans—oh, my! Looking at the craziness taking place in Washington, D.C., it’s no wonder so many bring their palms to their faces and shake their heads in wonderment. Impeachment, name-calling, fake news, and swamp creatures dominate the discussion. Bitter rivalries seem to permeate every corner of the once-beloved capital. It’s enough to cause one to paraphrase the disciple Nathanael and cry out, “Can anything good come out of Washington?”

That is why it was so refreshing to see a remarkable event that took place on October 29. Faith leaders from around the nation gathered around President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room in the White House, laid their hands on him, and began praying for him. “We prayed for the president, with thanksgiving, as always, that he would know God’s wisdom and strength as the president of the United States,” said Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, noting that Trump always welcomes the opportunity to be interceded for.[1]

Not surprisingly, those who stand against the president see this as a moment of great hypocrisy on his part and on the part of the Christian leaders. Journalist Molly Jong-Fast retweeted a photo of the event with the caption “Why I’m an atheist.”[2] George Conway, noted Trump critic and husband of presidential aide Kellyanne Conway, sarcastically commented, “Blessed be thy hush money, mayest all quid pro quos be thine, and mayest thy falsehoods persuade the multitudes.”[3] In response, the faith leaders asserted that there was no hypocrisy. While they may have occasional disagreement with some of the president’s words and actions, the agenda he is putting forth—particularly in the areas of life and religious freedom—lines up closely with many within the Christian community. And no one is putting on a show when the president and the faith leaders meet. Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, said, “[Trump] doesn’t try to be any different than he is. . . . That’s one of the things we appreciate about him.”[4]

No matter your feelings about President Trump, as Christians we have a responsibility to pray for him. We must pray for his relationship with Christ—something that no one can judge other than the president himself and the Lord. We must pray for wisdom and direction, knowing that he has been elected to a position from which every decision he makes can affect tens of millions of people. We must pray for protection, understanding that there are many people both inside and outside of America who wish him harm. Then, when we’ve finished praying these things for the president, we must move to Vice President Mike Pence and Mitch McConnell and Charles Schumer and Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy and Steny Hoyer and the justices of the Supreme Court and all our key governmental leaders. God is not partisan. When the name of Jesus is flashed up on Fox News or CNN, there is no “(D)” or “(R)” next to it. So feel free to choose your sides when it comes to politics. Become a (D) or an (R) or even an (I). But when it comes to our prayers, we need to keep them completely bipartisan.

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[1] Parke, Caleb. “Evangelical Leaders Gather to Pray for Trump at White House, Blasting Impeachment Effort.” Fox News, FOX News Network, October 30, 2019, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-pastors-pray-white-house.

[2] Jong-Fast, Molly (@MollyJongFast). “Why I’m an atheist. https://T.co/p8gvsRyD2O.” Twitter, November 1, 2019, 5:51 a.m. https://twitter.com/mollyjongfast/status/1190219918404472833?s=21.

[3] Conway, George (@gtconway3d). “Blessed be thy hush money, mayest all quid pro quos be thine, and mayest thy falsehoods persuade the multitudes. https://T.co/EXGFNG24bi.” Twitter, November 1, 2019, 8:32 p.m. https://twitter.com/gtconway3d/status/1190441470488203264?s=21.

[4] Parke, Caleb.