If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
-2 Chronicles 7:14
That picture above? Straight from the White House website.
And that scripture? Trump read that out loud in his prerecorded address.
This past weekend, a number of Christian leaders and White House officials gathered in D.C. and prayed together. It’s part of nationwide events celebrating America’s 250th year.
Hey, I love America, and I love Jesus, so why did “America Prays 250” make me feel so uncomfortable?
Here’s why:
When you mix religion and politics, you can get something called Christian Nationalism. It’s the idea that God has uniquely blessed America and its leaders.
Some embrace that idea proudly. Others see deep spiritual danger in it.
When Trump quotes that scripture, he’s quoting Solomon, after the building of the temple. The full passage describes God withholding favor from God’s own people until they repent with humility from their wicked ways. I’m not seeing a lot of humility or repentance.
You may have seen some AI pictures or billboards suggesting that Trump is chosen by God to lead us. At times, Trump himself has encouraged that perception.
Much of the leadership for this event came from Southern Baptist or similar evangelical traditions.
A PRRI census of American religion found that 13% of Americans identify as Evangelical Christians. (For reference, ~70% of Americans believe transgender people should receive equal protection under the law.)
This represented a narrow slice of who Americans — or even American Christians — actually are.
That picture of George Washington praying? There is a famous story about Washington praying at Valley Forge, but it’s not documented to have actually happened. Washington appears to have been personally religious, but he rarely spoke about his faith in explicit terms.
Even though many of the founding fathers had Christian roots, many others were deists–believing broadly in a divine being. Thomas Jefferson took all the miracles–and the entire Old Testament–out of his “bible”.
The founders ultimately left no room for an official national religion in the Constitution.
While the emphasis of this gathering was to encourage Americans to pray, there was little emphasis on the things Jesus consistently emphasized: care for the poor, compassion for the marginalized, mercy, humility, peacemaking, and justice.
While we may invoke the same name of Christ, we seem to imagine very different kinds of kingdoms.
That’s as plainly as I can say it.
If you’ve felt the same, it’s okay. You’re not dissing faith, or the right to pray, or Jesus Christ.
You’re questioning what happens when people blur the line between political power and the power of Christ.
When you see it displayed on the White House website, make sure…
it isn’t a white wash.
Have a great week,
Mitch
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