Saturday Watchdog: Pray For Our Leaders

Catholic Bishops Pray Over Trump Just Days Before the Midterms

A group of American Catholic bishops gathered around President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, praying for the president and the nation. Denver Archbishop James Golka led the prayer.

The meeting included discussions about religious freedom, school choice, religious visas, and abortion-related policy.

The White House shared video of the gathering, which occurred less than two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said it did not organize the meeting.

Some Catholic commentators criticized the appearance as potentially partisan. The Denver Archdiocese emphasized that praying for elected officials is a longstanding religious practice and does not constitute a political endorsement. National Catholic Reporter

Watch the Oval Office prayer video and read the Denver Archdiocese’s statement

So What?

Should Christians pray for political leaders? Absolutely. Paul specifically instructs believers to pray for kings and those in authority.

“For kings, and for all that are in authority…” — 1 Timothy 2:2 (KJV)

But praying for a political leader isn’t the same thing as endorsing everything that leader does. And a photograph of religious leaders surrounding a politician shouldn’t be interpreted as evidence that God supports that politician’s policies.

Christians should pray for presidents and government leaders they support and those they oppose. The Kingdom of our Lord is not here yet, but we are supposed to be salt and light in this broken and dark age and world.

National Catholic Reporter | EWTN reporting

Rick Tryon

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Child of God, husband, father, grandfather, rabblerouser, songwriter, pot stirrer, waiting for the King.

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