Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) is facing criticism for praying with President Donald Trump during this week’s National Prayer Breakfast, but the Democratic lawmaker isn’t backing down.
In a tweet thread published Thursday evening, Coons said he prays for the president “regularly.” During his prayer this week, the politician asked God to “grant President Trump wisdom, grace, and peace.”
In front of thousands of people at the event and many more watching at home, I prayed that God would grant President Trump wisdom, grace, and peace
— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) February 7, 2019
Sometimes, that means working together on bipartisan legislation.
— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) February 7, 2019
And sometimes, even when it's difficult, it means joining hands in prayer or reflection to remind ourselves that as public servants, we share the same obligations to do what's best for the country we all love.
— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) February 7, 2019
Coons explained in his tweets that, sometimes, the best way for politicians to serve their constituents is by “joining hands in prayer or reflection to remind ourselves that as public servants, we share the same obligations to do what’s best for the country we all love.”
The Delaware lawmaker and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) — both of whom prayed with Trump — were the co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast.
During the event, Lankford asked God to “pour your overwhelming blessing and wisdom on the president, on the vice president, his cabinet and his team.”
“In quiet moments, as he has a gap to be able to think, we pray that you would guide him in the way to go as he leads our nation,” Lankford prayed. “Give him the insight that he needs. Give him joy in the task. And use him for your kingdom’s sake and for our nation and the world’s sake.”
As for Trump, he used the event to double down on his stance against late-term abortion, which he first spoke out against Tuesday during his State of the Union address.
The president called on Congress to pass legislation “to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb.” He also emphasized the importance of establishing “a culture that cherishes innocent life.”
On Thursday, Trump, referencing Jeremiah 1:5, reiterated, “Every life is sacred, and every soul is a precious gift from heaven. As the Lord says in Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. … Before you were born, I set you apart.’”