I wrote a little thing about the prayer Paula White offered at Trump’s campaign rally. I intended the main point to be about how public prayers shouldn’t be sermons. Some of the comments indicate that I failed to communicate that point. That doesn’t surprise me. I have a way of thinking I’m saying something while actually saying something else.

Back in 2016, when Democrats, Republicans and Independents all agreed that if anyone other than their candidate got elected the United States would collapse, I wrote another article. I intended the main point to be about how no President should be your savior. The evangelical reaction to Donald Trump indicates that I failed to communicate that point too. (Either that or nobody read my article – which is unthinkable.)

Since it seems my writing often communicates things I don’t actually believe, I will spell out what I am NOT saying:

I am NOT saying

You don’t need to pray.

You don’t need to pray for the country’s leaders.

You shouldn’t mention scripture in your prayers.

These are some things I AM NOT SAYING.

Imagine that Hillary Clinton won the election in 2016. Imagine Hillary Clinton, in some garish colored jumpsuit, standing next to Paula White while she utters these words:

Let every demonic network that has aligned itself against the purpose, against the calling of President Hillary Clinton, let it be broken, let it be torn down in the name of Jesus. I declare that President Clinton will overcome every strategy from hell and every strategy from the enemy, every strategy. And she will fulfill her calling and her destiny.

You still as enthusiastic about that prayer as you were when it was for Trump? Still think it’s “beautiful”? If not, let me suggest that you’ve made Donald Trump an idol. You need to repent.

You’ve masked your idolatry with fake patriotism. That’s right – fake patriotism. Real patriotism is a love of country that persists no matter who occupies the White House. A true patriot would pray identically for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Patriots ask for God’s blessing even after their team loses the election. If you pray differently for people who don’t share your politics, you’re a hypocrite. You’re a fraud. You’re a fake patriot.

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on account of the Son of Man! 

Luke 6

The blessing comes when you’re hated because of Jesus. You don’t get persecution points for your MAGA hat. You aren’t righteous for chanting, “Build that wall!” People don’t detest you because of Jesus. They detest you because you’re obnoxious. That’s not Donald Trump’s fault. It’s not Jesus’ fault either! That’s all you.

Here’s what I am saying: I despise smug public prayers that task God with doing the bidding of politicians, including politicians with whom I agree. I despise tribalism, especially CHRISTIAN tribalism. Voting for Trump is fine. Gloating for Trump is despicable. You’re encouraged to boast about Jesus. Can you do that? Do you have a chant or a cheer or a slogan that tells people what you think about Christ?

No?

Then stop campaigning for Trump and get your priorities in order. Some day, Donald Trump won’t be President. It’s foolish to put your hope in anyone who won’t last forever.