Since when is it controversial for pastors or religious leaders to pray with the President of the United States?
Something of a firestorm erupted over the weekend following the release of a video featuring Catholic bishops praying with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
The dozen bishops had been invited to a gathering hosted by the White House Faith Office. After meeting with administration officials this past Thursday to discuss a broad range of faith-related issues and concerns, the Catholic priests were invited into the Oval Office at the conclusion of a broader conference to converse – and pray – with President Trump.
It’s not clear how long the bishops prayed, but the video shared by the White House on X included 27 seconds of their time surrounding Mr. Trump, who was seated at the Resolute Desk. Paula White-Cain, who heads up the Faith Office, joined the Catholic priests in prayer.
In the clip, you can hear a portion of the prayer offered by Denver Archbishop James Golka.
“Thank you for the gift of our great, beautiful nation; thank you for the gift of our government; thank you for the gift of this office of presidency,” he prays. “We lift up our president and ask your blessing upon him.”
There was nothing partisan in the prayer, and no other video of the meeting was released. As the post of the visit began circulating online, so did the criticism of the bishops for agreeing to meet and pray with the president.
Over the weekend, several of the bishops offered a range of explanations for their participation, and some even apologized.
Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob of Milwaukee expressed deep regret and accused the White House of exploiting their presence and prayers.
“I feel a heavy sadness, not only over the pain I caused, but also for the fact that something so sacred to a group of religious leaders, prayer to our Heavenly Father, would be manipulated in that way,” Archbishop Grob wrote.
Denver Archbishop James Golka defended his participation and shared that he decided to accept the invitation to pray for the president because, “This is what Catholics do. We pray for people. No matter whether we agree or disagree on anything, we always pray for our country and leaders.”
The Bible makes clear that Christians are to lift their leaders up in prayer. It was the apostle Paul who urged Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
Archbishop Golka went on to elaborate that he was given an opportunity to share with administration officials what Catholics believed about numerous policy issues.
“One meeting does not change policy,” he explained. “I was able to say what the Church teaches, and I would say the same to a president of either party. As Catholics, we’re called to share our faith in season and out of season and to witness to the dignity of every human person.”
The gathering in the Oval Office wasn’t the first time President Trump had welcomed religious leaders to pray for him and the country. Many Christians have been heartened by the numerous images of their president surrounded by individuals who are not only relaying God’s truth to their leaders, but also the fact that prayer is so openly and warmly offered in such a historic space.
Whether privately or publicly, no Christian leader should be shamed or pressured to apologize for praying with the President of the United States or any other public official. Ironically, some of those criticizing the gathering accuse the White House of exploiting its time with the bishops.”
Yet, Archbishop Golka notes that some of those same people are exploiting the fallout.
“I’m heartbroken that people are hurt, and that there are people intentionally using this moment to sow disunity,” he shared. “That’s not a fruit of the Spirit. As Christians, we’re called to look beyond the headlines, which are often crafted to provoke, towards the full truth.”
Photo credit: The White House.
The post Praying With the President Shouldn’t Be Controversial appeared first on Daily Citizen.
Daily Citizen