The evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, publicly called on Christians to pray for President Joe Biden amid the commander-in-chief’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
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“The news reports that President Joe Biden has COVID-19 and is experiencing very mild symptoms,” Graham wrote last week on Facebook. “We need to lift him up in prayer.”
He continued, “The Bible instructs us to pray for all those in authority, and that includes whether we agree with their policies and politics or not.”
Graham is referring to biblical commands to pray for leaders — calls some might be tempted to ignore amid political disagreement. Similar sentiments and struggles raged when former president Donald Trump also contracted COVID in 2020.
But the Bible is clear in its message to pray for leaders and those in authority.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) reads, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Other verses deliver similar calls to believers to submit to and pray for leaders.
Graham received many reactions to his call for prayer for Biden, including a slew of “Amens.” Some wished for the president’s wellness but called for him to “retire” or leave his role; others openly declined to pray for Biden. All of this comes as Biden continues to recover from COVID-19.
Presidential physician Kevin O’Connor has consistently updated the public about Biden’s mild symptoms since last week’s diagnosis, noting these issues have continued to improve significantly.
The president has been taking Paxlovid, an antiviral drug credited for reducing severe COVID-19 reactions, with O’Connor stating Saturday that Biden’s most prevalent symptom is a sore throat.
“This is most likely a result of lymphoid activation as his body clears the virus, and it thus encouraging,” the doctor said. “His rhinorrhea, cough, and body aches have diminished considerably.”
Graham was not alone in wishing Biden prayers for a speedy recovery, as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) — a frequent Biden critic — was also quick to take to Twitter last week to offer public prayer and well-wishes.
Heidi & I are lifting up President Joe Biden in prayer right now.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 21, 2022
May God’s healing hand be upon him, may Covid pass quickly, and may he have a swift and full recovery.
“Heidi & I are lifting up President Joe Biden in prayer right now,” Cruz tweeted. “May God’s healing hand be upon him, may Covid pass quickly, and may he have a swift and full recovery.”
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) also publicly offered prayer to Biden, citing 1 Timothy 2:1-2 in his tweet.
“I wish President Biden a quick recovery from covid,” he wrote. “I’m praying for his good health & his service as president according to 1st Timothy 2:1-2.”
I wish President Biden a quick recovery from covid & im praying for his good health & his service as president according to 1st Timothy 2:1-2
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) July 21, 2022
Continue to pray for Biden as he recovers from COVID-19.
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