‘Ask That His Enemies Are Silenced and Struck Down,’ Pastor at Trump Rally Tells Crowd in Bizarre Prayer Request

William FurneyOct 30, 2023

Minute Read

A pastor at a Trump rally has asked that people pray to God to silence and strike down the former president’s enemies, in a bizarre request that left many online wondering about the holy man.

‘Acts Against Trump’

Speaking at the start of a rally in Waterloo, Iowa, Pastor Joshua Graber also referenced “horrendous actions” against Trump, likely hinting at his four indictments and other legal cases that the 77-year-old is battling.

Let Us Pray

The pastor said at the rally: “We pray that you will impart wisdom to our president as he goes forth to stand in our place. We ask that those who stand against him be put to silence. That those horrendous actions against him and his family be exposed and struck down.

‘Courage for Trump’

Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.

He continued: “When we leave this place, give us the courage to say no to evil … Give us the courage to stand with President Trump in the caucuses and the election to come. We ask for your guidance, wisdom and power. In Jesus’s almighty and powerful name, Amen.”

Online Reaction

Image Credit:Tada Images / Shutterstock.

People reacting to the pastor’s strange prayer were quick to post their thoughts on X, formerly known as Twitter. One, with the handle High in Drublic said: “Asking God to silence others? Good luck with that.”

‘Violent Undertones’

Another person, Jack Pitney, suggested on X that the pastor’s prayer may not have exactly been Christian. “In the NIV Bible,” he wrote, “‘strike down’ has violent connotations. This ‘prayer’ is a call to something very sinister.”

Trump as ‘Antichrist’

Yet another person, Marty Loughlin, wrote on X: “I don’t believe any of their religious nonsense, but if Trump has a place in their sanctimonious theater, it would be the antichrist. Vile hypocrites, all of them.”

Trump’s Presidential Hope

Image Credit: rarrarorro / Shutterstock.

The former president is aiming to return to the White House, if he is selected as the Republican Party’s candidate to stand in the 2024 election that will take place on November 5. He failed to win a second consecutive term after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden. Trump is far ahead of his Republican rivals in polls, with a lead of around 50 points, making him the favorite to win the GOP nomination.

2020 Election Trouble

Image Credit: Thomas Hengge / Shutterstock.

Trump’s refusal to accept defeat in the 2020 vote ultimately led to an attack on the US Capitol after he used Twitter to urge his supporters to protest there at the result. Violence broke out and five people were killed. Over 1,000 protesters were arrested and many have since been jailed.

Election Indictment

One of the indictments against Trump criminally charges him with trying to overturn the election results, thereby depriving others of their Constitutional right to choose their candidate for president. The indictment also alleges that Trump tried to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power. He denies the charges and has branded them a “witch hunt” by Democrats trying to keep him out of the White House.

Other Legal Headaches

Editorial credit: FloridaStock / Shutterstock.

Trump is also fighting off federal charges relating to the alleged removal of confidential government files from the White House and their storage at his Florida resort home, Mar-a-Lago. The case carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. The ex-president is also embroiled in a hush money case involving a former adult film star as well as a fraud trial that has already found “convincing evidence” that fraud was committed at the Trump Organization. Prosecutors in that case are seeking a fine of at least $250 million.

‘RINO Trash’

Image Credit: danielfela / Shutterstock.

It’s not the first time a pastor has sparked controversy by opening a Trump rally with an odd prayer. At an event in October 2022, a pastor prayed, referencing the insult Republicans in Name Only: “God, open the eyes of President Trump’s understanding, that he will know how to implement divine intervention. And you will not surround him with RINO trash, in the name of Jesus.”

Trump the ‘Living Legacy’

Editorial credit: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock.

At another rally last year, the opening prayer went: “We’re grateful for the living legacy of Donald Trump. We thank you, oh God, for the clarity of purpose you have given to President Trump. We thank you for his consistency and tenacity … wrap your arms of loving protection around President Trump.”

‘Obey Your Voice’

At a Pastors for Trump event in May this year, those in attendance prayed: “God we ask that every single man and woman that has been elected who refuses to bow down to your will, God, may you remove them and uproot them and replace them with men and women who know your voice & will obey your voice.”