David Platt Responds to Criticism after Praying over President Trump

After praying over President Trump in an afternoon church service on Sunday, Pastor David Platt – known for his nonpartisan preaching – wrote a letter to his congregation disclosing his thoughts on the experience. 

In a letter posted to the church’s website and later shared to social media, Platt shared that he had to make a split-second decision as to whether he would pray over his unexpected visitor or not. 

Platt wrote, “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.”

Platt explained that he immediately thought of the message taught in 1 Timothy 2:1-6, which is to pray for everyone, including world leaders because it “is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”

So, Platt decided to pray over the President together with his church body. 

In his letter, however, Platt made it clear that this was not a show of support for the President. The pastor wrote, “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 continued noting that he knew some members of the church were “hurt” that he made the decision to pray over the president, but he asked his congregants for grace.

Platt wrote, “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.”

He added, “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.”

Platt ended his letter by asking his congregation to pray “for gospel seed that was sown today to bear fruit in the president’s heart” and for grace and wisdom for anyone facing important decisions throughout their week.

Photo courtesy: Tic Toc Bloomberg