Evangelist Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California, is standing firm in his decision to lead a prayer at a recent Donald Trump rally, stating that his actions were not politically motivated but rather centered on his calling to share the gospel. Laurie emphasized that his role as a pastor transcends political affiliations, asserting that he would gladly do the same at a rally for Kamala Harris or any other political candidate if given the opportunity.

Speaking at a rally in Coachella, California, Laurie took to the stage to lead attendees in the Lord’s Prayer. He declared that his commitment is to pray for whoever emerges victorious in the upcoming election, whether Democrat or Republican. Laurie’s participation drew attention, prompting him to address concerns on social media. In response, he explained that his primary objective is always to point people to Christ, regardless of the political context.

“My job as a follower of Jesus, and specifically as a pastor, is to represent Christ,” Laurie said in a video posted online. “And I understand that when I go into any setting, I’m there as a representative of the Kingdom of God, and my primary objective is to point people to Christ.” Laurie reiterated that his prayer was not an endorsement of Trump but a reflection of his desire to pray for the nation and its leaders, no matter who they are.

Laurie believes that Christians should be involved in every aspect of American life, including politics while keeping their faith and message at the forefront. Drawing on Jesus’ words, Laurie noted that believers are called to be “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth.” For him, this means standing against the spread of evil and promoting good works in society. Laurie added that prayer is a bipartisan act, and he would not hesitate to accept a similar invitation from the Harris campaign.

“If I was asked by the Harris campaign to come to one of their events and do a prayer, I would gladly accept that,” Laurie affirmed. “You give me a microphone and an opportunity to speak; I’d be happy to do that.”

https://x.com/greglaurie/status/1846527232229192063

In his prayer at the rally, Laurie also thanked Trump for the times he invited pastors to the White House during his presidency. He acknowledged the significance of being welcomed to pray in the Oval Office and expressed gratitude for Trump’s openness to faith leaders.

While Laurie’s prayer at the rally sparked discussion, he remains committed to his message: that Christians should engage with the culture and point people to Jesus, regardless of the political arena.