Franklin Graham, a prominent evangelical supporter of President Donald Trump, is calling for Christians across the country to set aside this Sunday as a “special day of prayer” for the president.
Graham, son of the famous American evangelist Billy Graham, told his substantial Facebook following over the weekend that this is a “critical time” for the country ― and for Trump.
“President Trump’s enemies continue to try everything to destroy him, his family, and the presidency,” Graham wrote. “In the history of our country, no president has been attacked as he has. I believe the only hope for him, and this nation, is God.”
The signatories included a wide array of voices on the religious right ― including Jerry Falwell, Jr., president of Virginia’s Liberty University, the televangelist Paula White-Cain, who heads Trump’s evangelical advisory board, and other prominent evangelicals who serve as advisers to the president.
Three former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest Protestant denomination, and the current general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, America’s largest Pentecostal denomination, pledged to participate.
In his Facebook post, Graham took note of a scripture verse that calls on Christians to pray for “kings” and all those in authority. He asked pastors to lead their congregations in praying for the president this Sunday.
“We’re on the edge of a precipice. Time is short. We need to pray for God to intervene. We need to ask God to protect, strengthen, encourage, and guide the President,” Graham wrote.
The theory that Trump was handpicked by God to lead America and defend its Christian heritage is embraced by some in evangelical circles. Graham himself has claimed that Trump won the 2016 presidential election because “God showed up.”
Franklin Graham talks with President Donald Trump at a memorial service for Graham's father, the late evangelist Billy Graham, at the U.S. Capitol, on Feb. 28, 2018, in Washington. (Photo: Pool via Getty Images)
Graham is currently touring cities in the Northeast, holding one-night prayer and evangelical gatherings meant to encourage people to “return to the Biblical faith of our fathers.”
The preacher, who participated in Trump’s inauguration by offering a prayer, was a frequent critic of past presidents. During Barack Obama’s White House tenure, Graham helped fan the “birther” conspiracy, which falsely claimed Obama was not an American citizen. He also publicly questioned whether Obama was really a Christian.
During Bill Clinton’s presidency, Graham criticized his sexual misconduct, insisting that if Clinton committed an immoral act in private, he couldn’t be trusted to behave ethically in public.
Brian McLaren, a progressive Christian author and speaker, told HuffPost he believes Graham and other leaders on the religious right are “following the script of religious leaders through the centuries who have sided with those with wealth and power and seem shockingly (or willfully) blind to their bankrupt character and anti-democratic agendas.”
McLaren said he will also pray for the president on Sunday ― but with a different purpose in mind.
“That he will repent of his lies and turn from his arrogance and hostility, that he will stop denying the existential threat of climate change, that he will be held accountable for his corruption, and that he will either be impeached as soon as possible or voted out of office next year, for the good of our country and the good of the world.”
SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM: Billy Graham, the American evangelist, the Bible beneath his hand, pounds his knee as he is interviewed aboard the liner 'United States' 26 February 1954 upon his arrival from New York to Southampton. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Billy Graham, the American evangelist, preaches 22 September 1991 in front of an estimated crowd of 200,000 faithful gathered in Central Park, for the first time in New York since 1970. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read MARIA BASTONE/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Billy Graham, 35, the American evangelist, is greeted by his wife and children, Virginia, 8 (L), Anne, 6 (R) and Ruth (Bunny), 3 (foreground) aboard the liner 'Queen Mary' on his return to New York 07 June 1954 from a religious tour of Europe. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
COLLEGE STATION, UNITED STATES: Former US president George Bush (R) kisses his wife Barbara 06 November as preacher Billy Graham (L) looks on at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony of the George Bush Library in College Station, TX. The current and former presidents of the US and a host of former world leaders and policy makers attended the 06 November dedication of the library. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO Joyce NALTCHAYAN (Photo credit should read JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 31: Evangelist Billy Graham (C) is greeted by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as he arrives on the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Approximately 1500 guests attended the private dedication ceremony for the library, which chronicles the life and teachings of Evangelist Billy Graham. Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush made short speeches during the dedication ceremony. Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham (R), helps him on stage. (Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
WASHINGTON, : Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan (L) and Reverend Billy Graham embrace during the gala dedication of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 05 May in Washinghton, DC. Reagan, 87, was not present at the ceremony and has not appeared in public since he announced in 1994 that he had Alzheiner's disease. AFP PHOTO Tim SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 31: Evangelist Billy Graham (C) is greeted by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush (R) on the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Approximately 1500 guests attended the private dedication ceremony for the library, which chronicles the life and teachings of Graham. Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush made short speeches during the dedication ceremony. (Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: US President Bill Clinton (R) embraces Reverend Billy Graham (L) 20 January during the inaugural luncheon at the US Capitol in Washington DC. Earlier 20 January, US President Bill Clinton was sworn in as president for his second term. (Photo credit should read JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES: Republican Presidential candidate Texas Governor George W. Bush and his wife Laura stand beside the Rev. Billy Graham (C) as Graham announces his support for Bush 05 November, 2000 in a hotel suite in Jacksonville, Florida. The US general election, which is neck-and-neck in the race for US president according to polling data, is 07 November 2000. AFP PHOTO/Paul J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
In this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama meets with Billy Graham, 91, at his mountainside home in Montreat, N.C., Sunday, April 25, 2010. Obama concluded his North Carolina vacation with his first meeting of the ailing evangelist, who has counseled commanders in chief since Dwight Eisenhower. (AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)
Remembering Billy Graham
SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM: Billy Graham, the American evangelist, and his wife Ruth, pose aboard the liner 'United States' 23 February 1954 before their arrival from New York to Southampton. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
HUAIYIN, CHINA: Billy Graham (L), the American evangelist, addresses Chinese faithful 20 April 1988 in front of his wife Ruth birthplace in Huaiyin, Jiangsu province, China. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read JOHN GIANNINI/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 31: (L-R) Franklin Graham, Billy Graham, and former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton bow their heads in prayer during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Approximately 1500 guests attended the private dedication ceremony for the library, which chronicles the life and teachings of Evangelist Billy Graham. Former U.S. Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush made short speeches during the dedication ceremony. (Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
HUAIYIN, CHINA: Billy Graham (R), the American evangelist and his wife Ruth walk 19 April 1988 in front of Ruth birthplace in Huaiyin, Jiangsu province, China. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read JOHN GIANNINI/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
HUAIYIN, CHINA: Billy Graham, the American evangelist and his wife Ruth smile, 19 April 1988 as they pose in front Ruth birthplace in Huaiyin, Jiangsu province, China. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read JOHN GIANNINI/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2010 file photo, evangelist Billy Graham speaks during an interview at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. Graham, 95, has returned to his home in Montreat on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, after being hospitalized for pulmonary-related tests and observation. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Remembering Billy Graham
WASHINGTON, : US President Bill Clinton bows his head as Reverend Billy Graham gives the invocation at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony 20 January on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Clinton was sworn in for a second term as US President. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Luke FRAZZA (Photo credit should read LUKE FRAZZA/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
PYONGYANG, SOUTH KOREA: Billy Graham (C), the American evangelist, presents his book 'Peace with God' to North Korean President Kim il-Sung (R) 02 April 1992 in Pyongyang. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
PARIS, FRANCE: Billy Graham, the American evangelist, preaches 13 May 1963 in Paris in front of an estimated crowd of 10,0000 faithful. Graham, (son of a dairy farmer, born in 1918 in Charlotte, NC), attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the USA and UK, and later in South America, the USSR and Western Europe. (Photo credit should read AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 31: Evangelist Billy Graham (C) is greeted by former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) on the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Approximately 1500 guests attended the private dedication ceremony for the library, which chronicles the life and teachings of Graham. Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush made short speeches during the dedication ceremony. (Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks along with Billy Graham during Graham's Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 25, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian evangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - NOVEMBER 1: Chinese President Jiang Zemin (R) shakes hands with Reverend Billy Graham (L) prior to a VIP luncheon 02 November in Beverly Hills, CA. JIang is on the last day of a nine-day visit to the United States. (Photo credit should read KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Remembering Billy Graham
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Billy Graham preaches on the third night of the Greater Los Angeles Billy Graham Crusade on November 20, 2004 in Pasadena, California. Tonight's service uses gospel rock bands to reach out to young people. This weekend marks the 55th anniversary of 86-year-old Billy Graham's first crusade to evangelize in Pasadena. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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