Former President Carter says he prays for President Trump. Here's why you should too

It's tough to be president. Lampooned and criticized, no president has been treated reverently by the media since perhaps Kennedy. The public criticism is even worse for President Trump whose lack of political experience has resulted in an endless series of gaffes, scandals, and errors. Despite these criticisms, most people who know the president agree, he is a patriot and he wants to do a good job. Given this, we should not pray for his demise, but rather for his success. Doing so does not mean we condone all his conduct, but hope for the common good. 

President Carter says he prays for President Trump.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
4/5/2018 (6 years ago)

Published in U.S.

Keywords: President Trump, President Carter, pray, prayers

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - While the media roasts escalated with Johnson, beginning with President George Bush Sr., the media has savaged every president since. The criticisms are often harsh. They are sometimes deserved. But nobody has been opposed so vehemently as President Trump. 

President Trump is a wealthy businessman and his personal conduct reflects this pedigree. His lack of experience also shows in many of his tweets and comments. Despite his lack of expertise he is consciously trying to be a good president. At least this is the word from most of the people who know him and have spent time with him in the White House. 

The public doesn't care. His policies earn him scorn from most of the media and millions of Americans who simply disagree with his opinions and behavior. Further eroding confidence in his work are a series of scandals that reveal he likely engaged in immoral behavior. His coarse language and apparent lack of restraint are often broadcast by his opponents. 

Regardless of the veracity of these claims against him, the constant criticism and undermining of his presidency aren't helping. While it is reasonable and understandable that people will oppose many of his policies, statements, and decisions, it is unreasonable to actively seek his disgrace and downfall. Such rhetoric undermines his presidential authority and emboldens enemies. 

It's one thing to block a political effort when a person sincerely objects to the agenda. It's another thing to seek the destruction of a democratically elected head of state. 

Addressing this, former President Jimmy Carter speaking on the CBS Late Show to Stephen Colbert, explained that he prays for President Trump. He also offered help and said he was willing to give the President the benefit of the doubt. 

"I pray that he'll be a good president, and that he'll keep our country at peace, and that he'll refrain from using nuclear weapons, and that he will promote human rights."
"My own preference would be that he not be impeached, but that he be able to serve out his term, because I think he wants to do a good job." "And I'm willing to help him, if I can help him, and give him the benefit of the doubt."

This is the best attitude. You can support the office of the president and the work of a person who is sincerely trying to do a good job, even if you do not agree with their politics. It does not mean you condone all their behavior. Instead, it means you want what is best for the nation and the common good. 

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You can object to a president's policies and still pray for them.

Had Hillary Clinton won, we would rightly be asked to pray for her. And this went for Obama and any other president before or since. Yes, you can vote against a president and their agenda and still support them as your nation's leader. 

We are all called to pray for one another. Whether you believe President Trump is a slandered hero or the worst president ever, it is still right to pray for him and to ask for him to be successful.