A pastor who triggered controversy by telling his congregation to pray for Donald Trump, has defended the decision, claiming “sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we didn’t see coming”.

David Platt, the pastor at McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia, offered prayers for the president after he made an unscheduled stop when leaving his private golf club in Sterling. Some commentators noted the president appeared to have come straight from the course and had “hat hair”.

“Please, oh God, give him wisdom and help him to lead our country alongside other leaders,” the pastor said. “We pray today for leaders in Congress. We pray for leaders in courts. We pray for leaders in national and state levels. We know we need your mercy. We need your grace. We need your help. We need your wisdom in our country.”

In a message posted on the website of his church, Mr Platt defended the decision to offer prayers, while acknowledging that some had been hurt by what happened.

“This weighs heavy on my heart. I love every member of this church, and I only want to lead us with God’s word in a way that transcends political party and position, heals the hurts of racial division and injustice, and honours every man and woman made in the image of God,” he said, explaining that he did so after reading a passage of the bible, 1 Timothy 2:1-6, that calls for prayers to be made for “all people...for kings and all who are in high positions”.

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“In that moment, I decided to take this unique opportunity for us as a church to pray over him together,” he added. “My aim was in no way to endorse the president, his policies, or his party, but to obey God’s command to pray for our president and other leaders to govern in the way this passage portrays.”

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The Washington Post pointed out those who know Mr Platt’s history may have been surprised by what happened at the church. It said he was known for authoring the best-selling book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, in which he denounces materialism. It said Mr Platt had also preached that churches ought not promote nationalism

The White House said Mr Trump, who is not a frequent visitor to church despite his reliance on the votes of evangelical Christians, made the stop to “visit with the pastor and pray for the victims and community of Virginia Beach”.