Prosperity gospel preacher Jesse Duplantis, who asked his supporters in 2018 for help in buying a $54 million private jet, really wants to see churches open on Easter.

That’s not going to happen, though, because of COVID-19. It would be idiotic for large groups to gather anywhere, including churches, before the virus is contained, which will take a lot longer than a few weeks.

But Duplantis has a plan! He said in a special message this week that he would use prayer to “bind” the virus.

… President Trump said something that I want to set myself in agreement with. And, you know, a lot of people get a little angry about the president because he’s trying to give people hope. I thank God for a president — I don’t care [whether] he’s Democrat or a Republican, or a woman or a man — if he can give you some hope. Because now faith is the substance of things hoped for, hopefully, the evidence of things not seen. So he said something last night — I’m watching the news just like you are — and he said “I’d like to have this thing begin to open up this country on Easter Sunday.” And then he said something that really ministered to me. He said, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the churches were packed on Easter Sunday?” Well, the way that can kind of totally happen, globally, would be if the virus is bound, not flattened. Bound. No longer infecting anybody. Going down. So I want to start with a word of prayer right now. We’re gonna bind that coronavirus.

First of all, people aren’t mad at Trump for giving people hope. They’re mad at Trump for making the problem worse because he’s an incompetent buffoon surrounded primarily by yes-men whose best option in life was working for an incompetent buffoon.

But back to the point: If Duplantis and his prayers had the power to stop the virus, why wait until now to say them? Thousands of people have already died! Why didn’t these prayers begin months ago? Why would the same God who presumably sent the virus suddenly reverse course and destroy it, just so people can be in church on Easter Sunday? And what does the body count need to be before Duplantis gets to enjoy the optics on Easter?

If this is part of God’s Plan, it’s cruel and avoidable. It’s not, thankfully, but that also means his prayers aren’t about to do anything.

No one needs hope as much as they need educated, rational leaders who follow the evidence and take quick action. Duplantis has no plans to pray for that.

(Thanks to Kyle for the link)

