Early Last week Donald
Trump met and prayed with over 40 religious leaders at Trump Tower in New York
City.
The meeting took
place on Monday afternoon and was organized by tele-evangelist Paula White. Among
those in attendance were California Pastor David Jeremiah, as well as
charismatic pastors Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Trinity Broadcasting Network’s
Jan Crouch, “Jews For Jesus” Rabbi Kirt Schneider, Ohio Bishop Darrell Scott,
Los Angeles Bishop Clarence McClendon, and Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress. Religious Leaders Pray with Donald Trump Video
Christian
Broadcasting Network’s David Brody was the first to report on the meeting,
which according to his blog lasted approximately 2 and a half hours and ended
with all the leaders gathering around Trump to pray for him. Brody related:
During
the meeting, [Trump] talked about his Christian faith. At one point he admitted
that he may not have read the Bible as much as the pastors in the room. As the
conversation continued, a few of the ministers implored Trump to tone done some
of his harsh rhetoric.
Pastor
Scott, who was present in the meeting and is neutral in this presidential race,
said Trump humbly received the message by nodding his head, listening
attentively and not being combative at all.
“He has a
very high regard and a very deep respect for men and women of the cloth.”
Trump told the group
that if he were elected president, he would be a strong supporter of Israel and
spoke about the assault on religious liberty in America being experienced by
Christians.
Some of the African
American pastors present mentioned that there seems to be a disconnect between
him and the black community. He pledged to work on that and noted that he was
polling at 25 percent with African Americans, far outstripping support GOP
presidential candidates have seen in the past.
Bishop Darrell Scott,
who leads the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland, told Brody: “I think
Donald Trump changed the opinions of the African-American pastors that were in
the room. They saw a side of him outside of the media depiction, and that they
would give strong consideration in regards to supporting his candidacy.”
At the conclusion of
the meeting, the religious leaders gathered around Trump to pray for him, with
some laying hands on him as they did. Texan Kenneth Copeland prayed that God
would grant the billionaire wisdom. “No man can be successful as president
of the United States without Your wisdom. And so we ask You today to give this
man Your wisdom, boldly. Make sure and certain that he hears. Manifest Yourself
to him,” Copeland prayed. “And we thank You and praise You for a bold man, a
strong man and an obedient man.”
Messianic
Rabbi Kirt Schneider, as he began to pray, noted that only two nations in
world history have been in direct covenant with God: Israel and the United
States. The rabbi reached over placed his hand on Trump’s forehead and
pronounced Aaron’s blessing on him. “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord
make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift you up with
His countenance, and The Lord give you His peace…”
David Jeremiah, who
has a popular nationally syndicated radio program, said: “We pray what he has
heard today by those who have spoken into his life, he will consider…We ask you
to give him direction and give him hope and Lord thank you for allowing us to
be here for this special moment. Perhaps we will look back on this day and
remember that we stood together and prayed over the next president of the
United States.”
Trump appeared
visibly moved by the experience. Source
