President Donald Trump’s whole life has shown that he doesn’t understand, care about, or live by Christian teachings, yet he now portrays himself as Christianity’s defender. His responses to those who act on Christian principles make his disregard for the faith even clearer.

At an impeachment news conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked if she hated the president. “I don’t hate anybody,” she replied. “I was raised in a Catholic house. … I pray for the president all the time.”

Trump didn’t get it. In an angry letter to Pelosi, he wrote, “you are offending Americans of faith by continually saying “I pray for the President,” when you know this statement is not true, unless it is meant in a negative sense. It is a terrible thing you are doing ….”

Trump views opponents as impediments to be humiliated or destroyed, so he can only imagine a “negative” prayer from Pelosi. But a central Christian teaching is to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That’s why, throughout history, Christians, such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., have prayed “positive” prayers for their opponents. In fact, their founder, Jesus of Nazareth, did just that for those who crucified him!

Beth McDevitt,

Medina