Evangelical Christian Columnist Says National Prayer Breakfast Should be Suspended in Era of Trump

Cal Thomas, a national Evangelical Christian columnist knows a lot about the National Prayer Breakfast. He was responsible for hosting the event for over 30 years.

The writer, however, feels that in the age of Trump it may be time for a change. Over the weekend, Thomas wrote a Washington Post op-ed arguing that the President’s behavior goes against the spirit of the breakfast.

The event is meant to be a bi-partisan affair where Democrats and Republicans can prayer together. It gives lawmakers from both parties the chance to get together and resolve differences.

During this year’s breakfast, though, Trump used the occasion to gloat about his recent acquittal and attack his political enemies.

Thomas writes, “He (Trump) criticized those who claim to pray for him and misuse their faith for political ends, according to him. He implied that ‘those in this room’ (more than 3,000 attended) all support him and those who don’t are not genuine Christians.”

The columnist continued, “Lest someone think this is only a Christian ideal, consider Proverbs 25:21-22: “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. … And the Lord will reward you.”

The writer finished the piece, “Trump clearly missed a grand opportunity. It would have cost him nothing to shake Pelosi’s hand. Perhaps it is time to suspend this annual event, or to hold it without this president attending if he can’t accept the nonpartisan theme that has been its tradition for nearly seven decades.”