Paula White: Donald Trump’s Victory Reminds Us of What Unites Us
Americans voted to elect Republican Donald Trump as president in what has been described as “miraculous” and “divine intervention.”
Christian leadership rang in Trump’s victory after he garnered 276 electoral college votes compared to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 216.
Here’s what the leaders are saying:
“Now that the presidential election is finally behind us, our nation must put partisan politics and divisive rhetoric behind us as well. I look forward to working with the new administration. Instead of the agenda of the donkey or the elephant, Christians must be about the Lamb’s agenda. We can and we must continue the fight to reconcile Billy Graham’s message of righteousness with Dr. Martin Luther King’s march for justice. The moment we, as Christian voters, are co-opted by any given political party or ideology, we lose our legitimacy to speak truth to power. Looking ahead, now is the time to rise up as people of faith and as an independent voice that holds political leaders on both sides of the aisle accountable to policies that don’t aim left or right, but toward righteousness and justice, for all. Chief of which remains our concern for religious liberty, the sanctity of life, immigration reform and racial unity. We pray for the safe keeping of our democracy as we transition to the new Donald Trump administration, and we pray that God will continue to bless and prosper our nation in the coming months and years ahead.”
—Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
“Far more than what divides us, this election has revealed what unites us. I have never seen such solidarity between evangelicals and Catholics, Pentecostals, charismatics and Baptists. We were brought together with a mutual love for our country and through a mutual faith in God. The election started the conversation, but what will come from these new and renewed relationships will have far more impact than anything that could be realized through the election of any politician. We aren’t ending this season so much as entering a new one, ready to love the world together to a degree greater than we ever could alone.”
—Pastor Paula White, New Destiny Christian Center
“From Hyderabad, India: My deepest and most sincere congratulations to the president-elect, Donald J. Trump. Over the span of my life, I have respected and admired the office of the U.S. presidency. Perhaps no other individual has a greater responsibility and expectation bestowed upon himself/herself to lead. I wish Donald J. Trump the fortitude needed to carry such an enormous task. Today, the world needs America’s strength more than ever. We are living in tumultuous times, and it is in moments like these that international cooperation for the sake of peace and justice is imperative. But we also need America’s kindness. The United States, though relatively young historically, has long been a source of hope to all those who desire their countries—and indeed, their children—have a future filled with opportunity. I pray that, as a new era in U.S. governance begins, we might all be encouraged to double our efforts for the purpose of peace. May we be emboldened to stand with the marginalised and the oppressed, and may we, with faith in Christ, see each human with value and dignity, offering hope for this time.”
—Most Rev. Dr. Joseph D’Souza, Moderating Bishop of the Good Shepherd Church and Associated Ministries of India
“My sincere congratulations to Donald J. Trump as he has been elected the next president of the United States. I pray sincerely that God might grant wisdom to our new commander in chief to lead our nation in righteousness and toward peace and justice. This is a time to rebuild and to reconcile, to lock arms with our fellow Americans and work with our elected officials for a better future. We must remember that the task of protecting our rights to life and religious freedom is as much the responsibility of the average American as it is of the individual sitting in the Oval Office. May each of us then take upon ourselves this duty and work with elected officials at all levels of government to secure these rights for future generations. All along the way, may we seek the good of all Americans. Let us extend honor and love to all, and reserve our fear and worship only to God, who alone deserves to be our source of ultimate hope and security.”
—Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Senior Pastor of Cross Church, Immediate Past President of the Southern Baptist Convention
“The people have spoken and I join with leaders around the world in pledging my prayers and support to Donald J. Trump upon his election as President of the United States. I would also like to reiterate one simple truth believed by hundreds-of-millions of Christians around the world: the success of this new administration will remain fully centered upon its commitment to the state of Israel. May the Trump administration be a friend and an ally to Israel to a greater degree than any previous administration. The clearest indication of this commitment would be the immediate transfer of the Embassy of the United States to Jerusalem.”
—Dr. Mike Evans, Friends of Zion Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
“I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory. This presidential election has been a moment in history when God has reminded us that our ultimate citizenship is indeed in heaven and not on earth. While we love America, as Christians we are sojourners and pilgrims, and like the heroes of our faith, we are looking for a better country beyond this earthly one, to the heavenly city God has prepared for us. Let us then continue walking by faith, not by sight, placing our trust in God’s eternal promises and not in the fleeting machinations of men. We commit to pray for the new Trump administration. We pray that God might have mercy on our nation and that our leaders might know and fear Him, for as the Scriptures say, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. This is a time when we must hold fast to our calling to be good citizens and to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, pointing those around us toward our hope in Christ and breathing life wherever there is despair. Presidents come and go, but our God remains forever and he will be on his throne on November 9 as he was on November 8 and as he will be for all of eternity.”
—Dr. David Jeremiah, Senior Pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church
“Last night was a real November surprise for a lot of people! In the biggest political upset of our lifetime, the American people elected Donald J. Trump and Mike Pence to lead our nation. I congratulate them this morning! This election has been long, it’s been tough, and it’s been divisive. It’s time to put that behind us. Now is the time to come together in unity and work together. Our nation has so many problems that need fixing. Even more important are the spiritual needs of our country. Whether we are rich or poor, without Jesus Christ we are the most desperately in need, the poorest of the poor. We cannot ignore His hand and His supreme authority. One thing is for sure, we need to pray for our new president, vice president, and our other leaders every day—whether we agree with them or not. They need God’s help and direction. It is my prayer that we will truly be ‘one nation under God.’ Will you commit with me to pray for them every day?”
—Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
“This is our time. This morning we are closer than ever to defunding our nation’s largest abortion vendor, Planned Parenthood; appointing pro-life Supreme Court Justices; and blocking taxpayer funding of abortion by permanently enshrining the Hyde Amendment. Donald Trump made many promises to pro-lifers over the course of his campaign, and the pro-life generation will make sure he keeps those promises as President. Our nation rejected a party and a culture that supports not a single restriction on abortion. Abortion mattered in this election as it was the most-searched term in regards to the election on Google. The bottom line is this: today’s election results give us the momentum we need to achieve our mission of abolishing abortion in our lifetime.”
—Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life of America
“I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on being elected the next President of the United States, following a hard-fought campaign. Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. We are and will remain strong and close partners on trade, security and defense. I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.”
—UK Prime Minister Theresa May
