During a recent visit to North Carolina to see the damage left behind by Hurricane Helene, former President Donald Trump was prayed over by a group of survivors after he gave a powerful speech to local residents. This is what Christianity in action looks like. Here are a group of people who have lost more than many of us can imagine, yet they are taking the time to ask God to watch over those who are in positions of leadership and influence. That’s what Jesus meant when He said to be the hands and feet of the Body.
According to The Christian Tribune, the 45th president promised during his speech to represent Appalachia, which is an area of the nation that folks feel has been severely neglected by political elites in the country. Afterwards, a man in the crowd asked Trump if he could pray for him and his agenda to help restore the nation.
“I’m here today in western North Carolina to express a simple message to the incredible people of the state. I’m with you, and the American people are with you all the way. We’re going to continue to be with you. We’ll see what happens with the election. And we’re on January, 20, you can have, I think, a new crew coming in to do it properly and help you in a proper manner,” Trump went on to say in his speech.
The former president further offered prayers for those who had lost everything, including loved ones, during the hurricane. “To every family that lost loved one or a loved one this terrible storm, we ask God to give you strength and comfort and peace. You will have comfort and peace,” he said. Trump continued, vowing to provide necessary aid to those in impacted areas. “And the communities were ravaged and destroyed. We’re praying for you, and we will not forget about you. We will never forget about you. We’re going to be working with you for a long time to come to get it back together. When I’m president, I will stand with you, and till the communities are fully rebuilt, every single inch of every property will be fully rebuilt, greater and more beautiful than it was before,” he said.
“Flood waters tore wives from the arms of their husbands. Mudslides buried the entire families and buried entire families. Grandparents died alongside their grandchildren, homes, towns, farms, roads, bridges, schools throughout the region, they now lie in ruin. So beautiful, so beautiful an area, so beautiful it was, but it will be more beautiful. But you can never forget the death. All of America shares your sorrow and your grief,” Trump added, continuing to offer up his sympathy to this devastated part of the nation.
The report also discussed the story of a local man whose business was destroyed by the hurricane, but spoke at the podium during the event and applauded the former president and his continued battle for the soul of America.
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“And I believe that you can serve as a great inspiration to this community right now. And the reason being is I think God’s given you an indomitable spirit, and no matter what gets thrown at you, you find a way to press through, and I think that’ll serve as an inspiration to this community to press on and move forward,” he stated.
After the comments he made about the former president, he then asked him if he could pray for him.
After his comments about Trump, he asked the presidential candidate if he could pray for him. “If you don’t mind just because my heart’s about to be Do you mind if I pray for you?” he asked Trump, who agreed. “Father, I thank you for this man that you have raised up in this moment, in this season, for your purposes. And I pray that you would anoint Him that things aren’t done just by might or by power, but by your Spirit. So, I ask that you anoint President Donald Trump, and give him a spirit of wisdom and understanding and insight, as he moves to lead this nation back to greatness. Jesus name I pray,” he said in his powerful petition to God.
Christians are told by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament to pray for their governmental leaders. Our leaders are appointed by God and are a gift of grace, given to us as a means of keeping evil in check and allowing us to live in peace. However, we’re not to obey evil, wicked authorities who ask us to violate the law of God. In the meantime, we are to submit to leadership and pray for their conversion and well-being.
Here’s a great prayer from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer for government leaders:
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Amen.