Thread: Pastor who prayed for Trump onstage defends his decision to critics, says it wasn't a

Pastor who prayed for Trump onstage defends his decision to critics, says it wasn't an endorsement


t'it is good, and pleasing in the sight of God, to pray for the president'

David Platt, the pastor of McLean Bible Church in Virginia, unintentionally made headlines over the weekend when President Donald Trump showed up at his church to receive prayer.


As a pastor who intentionally avoids political associations and rhetoric, Platt was somewhat uncomfortable with the situation, and aware of the potential criticisms that can result from a perceived association with a figure as polarizing as Pres. Trump. Having been called upon to pray for the president on just a few moments' notice, Platt prayed a nonpartisan, biblically-grounded prayer for Pres. Trump.


"We stand right now on behalf of our president and we pray for your grace and your mercy and your wisdom upon him," Platt began. "And God we pray that he would know how much you love him — so much that you sent Jesus to die for his sins, our sins. So we pray that he would look to you and 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 righteousness and good for equity, every good path."


Still, Platt knew that some in his large and diverse congregation would take issue with him having Pres. Trump on stage for prayer, especially given that the prayer was followed by loud applause. So, Platt issued a statement to his church explaining his decision and the thoughts behind it.
Platt wrote in the statement that, near the end of his service, he was notified that Pres. Trump would be there in minutes for prayer. He said once the president arrived and before going on stage, he had a brief conversation during which he shared the gospel. But he made no apologies for the decision to pray for the nation's leader:

That's why, as soon as I heard this request backstage, the passage from God's Word that came to my mind was 1 Timothy 2:1-6:"

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."

Based on this text, I know that it is good, and pleasing in the sight of God, to pray for the president. So in that moment, I decided to take this unique opportunity for us as a church to pray over him together. My aim was in no way to endorse the president, his policies, or his party, but to obey God's command to pray for our president and other leaders to govern in the way this passage portrays.

Platt, concerned with unity within the body of his church, acknowledged those who might be upset that he prayed publicly for Pres. Trump on stage:

I wanted to share all of this with you in part because I know that some within our church, for a variety of valid reasons, are hurt that I made this decision. This weighs heavy on my heart. I love every member of this church, and I only want to lead us with God's Word in a way that transcends political party and position, heals the hurts of racial division and injustice, and honors every man and woman made in the image of God. So while I am thankful that we had an opportunity to obey 1 Timothy 2 in a unique way today, I don't want to purposely ever do anything that undermines the unity we have in Christ.

Watch the prayer below:




Pastor who prayed for Trump onstage defends his decision to critics, says it wasn't an endorsement

What a coward

The pastor said he wanted to stay non-partisan. Most Christians would want prayer over the president. Too much political correctness even in churches and houses of worship.

There is no doubt that millions of people pray for President Trump daily to be safe, to have wisdom and to seek God while leading the nation.

(Edited - Read other articles to better understand this pastor’s thoughts)

VIRGINIA PASTOR PRAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 1 TIMOTHY 2 AT PRESIDENT TRUMP’S REQUEST

McLean Bible Church Senior Pastor David Platt Explained Why He Accepted The Commander-In-Chief’s Impromptu Request.


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JUN 3Just before the president left for his state visit to the United Kingdom, he made a surprise visit to McLean Bible Church in the DC suburb of Vienna, Va.
That visit has become the subject of a video that has gone viral—and has even been picked up by the mainstream media. In it, senior pastor David Platt is seen offering a prayer in accordance with 1st Timothy, Chapter 2.
Click here to see the complete video: https://tinyurl.com/y6t74czt
Now, the pastor is telling “the rest of the story.” On the church’s Facebook page, he wrote:
“Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we didn’t see coming, and we’re faced with a decision in a moment when we don’t have the liberty of deliberation, so we do our best to glorify God. Today, I found myself in one of those situations.
“At the end of my sermon at the 1:00 worship gathering, I stepped to the side for what I thought would be a couple of moments in quiet reflection as we prepared to take the Lord’s Supper. But I was immediately called backstage and told that the President of the United States was on his way to the church, would be there in a matter of minutes, and would like for us to pray for him. I immediately thought about my longing to guard the integrity of the gospel in our church. As I said in the sermon today, Christ alone unites us. I love that we have over 100 nations represented in our church family, including all kinds of people with varied personal histories and political opinions from varied socioeconomic situations. It’s clear in our church that the only reason we’re together is because we have the same King we adore, worship, fear, and follow with supreme love and absolute loyalty, and His name is Jesus.
“That’s why, as soon as I heard this request backstage, the passage from God’s Word that came to my mind was 1 Timothy 2:1-6:
“‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.’
“Based on this text, I know that it is good, and pleasing in the sight of God, to pray for the president. So in that moment, I decided to take this unique opportunity for us as a church to pray over him together. My aim was in no way to endorse the president, his policies, or his party, but to obey God’s command to pray for our president and other leaders to govern in the way this passage portrays.
“I went back out to lead the Lord’s Supper and then walked off stage, where the president was soon to arrive. In that brief moment, I prayed specifically for an opportunity to speak the gospel to him, and for faithfulness to pray the gospel over him.
“While I won’t go into the details of our conversation backstage, one of our other pastors and I spoke the gospel in a way that I pray was clear, forthright, and compassionate. Then I walked back out on stage, read 1 Timothy 2:1-6, and sought to pray the Word of God over the president, other leaders, and our country. (If you would like to see the full context of my comments and prayer, I have included the video below.) After I prayed, the president walked off stage without comment, and we closed our gathering by celebrating heroes among us, a couple who has spent the last 48 years spreading the gospel in remote places where it had never gone before they came. We then recited the Great Commission as we always do, sending one another out into the city for the glory of our King.
“I wanted to share all of this with you in part because I know that some within our church, for a variety of valid reasons, are hurt that I made this decision. This weighs heavy on my heart. I love every member of this church, and I only want to lead us with God’s Word in a way that transcends political party and position, heals the hurts of racial division and injustice, and honors every man and woman made in the image of God. So while I am thankful that we had an opportunity to obey 1 Timothy 2 in a unique way today, I don’t want to purposely ever do anything that undermines the unity we have in Christ.
“In the end, would you pray with me for gospel seed that was sown today to bear fruit in the president’s heart? Would you also pray with me that God will help us to guard the gospel in every way as we spread the gospel everywhere? And finally, I’m guessing that all of us will face other decisions this week where we don’t have time to deliberate on what to do. I’m praying now for grace and wisdom for all of us to do exactly what we talked about in the Word today: aim for God’s glory, align with God’s purpose, and yield to God’s sovereignty.”
Evangelist Franklin Graham had called for a day of prayer for the president on Sunday. Pastor Platt, however, urged his congregation—and the millions of Christians who have now seen the video of his prayer—to pray for their government every day.
(Photo Credit: McLean Bible Church)

https://www.trunews.com/stream/virgi...trumps-request