Last Monday, President Trump’s Faith Advisory Council gathered in the Oval Office and prayed over our nation’s leader. The moment appeared in a photo that quickly went viral and may well become one of the iconic images of Trump’s term. 

Such an honor to pray within the Oval Office for @POTUS & @VP . pic.twitter.com/JrDOSJyFeN

— Johnnie Moore ن (@JohnnieM) July 12, 2017

Yet to hear the Rev. William Barber II tell it, the prayer was far from divine. Rev. Barber told MSNBC’s AM Joy Saturday morning the prayer was “theological malpractice bordering on heresy.”

We should mention the fact that Barber is North Carolina NAACP President and was a fiery supporter of Hillary Clinton. Apparently, if the choice is standing on Scripture or standing on Donald Trump’s neck, he’s all for the latter. 

1 Timothy 2 is absolutely clear on the subject: 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

Does Rev. Barber knows better than the Apostle Paul? 

Oh, but maybe we’re over-reacting. Here is his full quote:

It is a form of theological malpractice that borders on heresy when you can p-r-a-y for a president and others when they are p-r-e-y, preying on the most vulnerable, you’re violating the most sacred principles of religion.

But who are the “most vulnerable”? Is Trump protecting them or preying on them? Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., answers that. In her words, President Trump is “leading the charge for civil rights today for the little unborn persons in the womb who have a right to live.” Since somebody who’d champion Hillary Clinton can’t possibly be talking about the unborn as the most vulnerable, what Barber is really angry about is different (conservative) solutions to societal problems. He’s saying “Hands off any leader whose policy solutions don’t line up with mine.” (Yes, Trump is politically “unclean.” The Pharisees couldn’t have put it any better.)

That Pesky Bit About Praying for Your Enemies

Rev. Barber may score points on MSNBC with “heresy” comments, but he soiled his collar in the process. 

Even if he believes Donald Trump spends his Saturday nights shooting craps with Satan, Putin and the Ghost of Hitler, he is supposed to serve a Savior who prayed for all manner of sinners. Under the Law and culture of the day, Jesus shouldn’t have been anywhere near lepers, the woman with the issue of blood, the Samaritan woman, and so forth. Then there are the assorted hooligans, drunks and tax collectors he hung around with.

Does Barber think Jesus would have said, “All these people are fine, but this loud guy with the orange hair? Fuggedabout it!”? 

Even if Barber hopes Trump is sent to the slammer, would he not even pray with him as part of a prison ministry? “Murder a family of five and I’m there for you. ISIS terrorist? Cop Killer? I’m there. But The Donald? Let him burn!”

Johnnie Moore, who took the viral photo, told us what the group prayed for: “Supernatural wisdom, guidance and protection.” Which one of those is Rev. Barber against? Does he not want the President of the United States to rule with the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit? Does he wish harm to come to our leader? 

What’s more, Barber’s crass charge of “theological malpractice” ignores what actually goes on when faith leaders pray for a president. Some of that is by design. Dr. Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, was part of that Oval Office prayer. He told The Stream last week critics miss something crucial:

I am a pastor. I often have people coming in my office and sharing their story. I may correct them or challenge them or speak words of reproof, but I don’t go public with what I say as a pastor to people. 

Regarding this President and anyone else we talk about, it’s our responsibility to rebuke or correct privately and then try to support publicly. You shouldn’t expect us to share on social media from the personal counsel and prayer that we offer people.

Stream publisher James Robison is also on the Faith Advisory Council. He’s there to surround Trump with wisdom and fill him with the Words of Life, to help him become a father to a nation. In other words, those men and women of different races and denominations are there to help this man. To move him closer to God so he can better serve the country. Like it or not, they are there for his betterment. And admit it or not, they’re for your benefit, Rev. Barber, and those you profess to serve. 

Words Not Returning Void

A final thought: The Lord through the prophet Isaiah said that the word that “goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

Ask the men and women of God in that picture, and most will say they felt “sent” or “called” to spiritually assist this President. (Some, no doubt, kicking and screaming.) Would Rev. Barber really want to stifle that purpose? Would he want whatever divine plan God’s set in motion to fail?

If the thought of praying for Trump himself is too odious — and the will to get over such a non-Biblical attitude too weak — then perhaps Rev. Barber can at least pray that the will of God be done through those he has placed near the President. 

It doesn’t even have to be a long prayer. “Thy will be done … in the Oval Office as it is in Heaven.”