Greg's Blog

Christians Must Be Politically Involved (My Trump Rally Message)

by Greg Laurie on Oct 18, 2024

 

We as Christians must permeate our culture. Our job is to shine as bright lights and function as salt. We show our light through good works, preaching the gospel, and the things that we do to help others. And we are salt by stopping the spread of evil. 

That’s where voting and speaking out on issues comes in. Christians must be involved in every aspect of American life.

So when I was asked to go to a Trump rally in Coachella, California for prayer, I said yes. 

Trump Rally Speech Transcript

Greg Laurie: Hello. How many of you are proud to be an American today? Raise your hand up. I thought so. How many of you fly an American flag outside of your house? I do, too. Some of you fly really big American flags on your trucks. I’ve seen it.

You know, there are those that would try to marginalize us who are Christians and call us Christian Nationalists. And I consider myself a Christian patriot and I’m proud of that. President George Washington said—and he said it to me personally, that’s how old I am—”To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”

So here’s what we believe. We’re not trying to impose our faith on anybody else. We want the same First Amendment rights that all Americans have to stand boldly for our faith and say what is true.

We’re not trying to push that on anyone but we do want to share it. Jesus called us to be both salt and light. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they might see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.”

So we as believers want to be light, helping our neighbors like the folks suffering from the effects of hurricane, the hurricanes in North Carolina, in Florida, Hurricane Helene, and also in the state of Florida.

So we want to shine our light. But then Jesus said we are to be salt. And salt was a preservative in biblical times. It stopped the meat from rotting. And in the same way, we speak out against what is wrong in addition to speaking up for what is right. And that is where voting comes in.

I read recently that there are 90 million evangelicals who are eligible to vote in this country, but 40 million of them do not vote. So I am urging everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ to vote and to vote biblically in this election.

No election in my lifetime is as consequential as this one. So we all need to engage.

Now, let me say this. I will pray for whoever is elected to be the next president of the United States. But let me add something else. I’ve had the privilege of being in the White House when President Trump was our president. He welcomed me and other pastors and evangelical leaders to pray for the nation, to pray for him, even in the Oval Office. So he’s been a true friend to the Christian community and we thank him for that.

So my job, and I’m glad I have it, is to lead us all in prayer right now. So let’s all bow our heads for a word of prayer.

Father, America was your idea before it was the idea of any man.

This land has been a refuge for those yearning for freedom, and it has arisen to be the most powerful and wealthy country in history and it’s been a blessing to the world. Lord, you’ve blessed America and we all have benefited from that blessing. So God, give us the privilege to pass on the America we have known for future generations.

We pray for your blessing on this nation, for your mercy on this nation. And we pray for all leaders, that you will guide and direct them, whatever their politics. But we pray especially for our friend today, President Donald Trump.

We thank you for protecting his life from two assassination attempts. You put your angels around him. You put a hedge of protection around him. Now give him wisdom. May he be closer to you than he has ever been before. And may that be true of all of us, Lord. And so we pray that you will bless America. We entrust our future, our families, into your hands.

Why don’t we all close now by praying the Lord’s Prayer together? Let’s pray it now.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

God bless you all.

The ultimate hope for America is Jesus Christ. Receive “Hope for America” today, where Pastor Greg Laurie insightfully guides you through this topic in depth.

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