Just days before President Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president, Pastor Robert Jeffries of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, expressed his concerns about Trump's re-election in an interview with Fox News Digital "Thanks to God" and his hope for the country's future.
"I believe most evangelicals, conservative Catholics and conservative Jews view President Trump's re-election with a sense of relief and gratitude to God," the faith leader said in an on-camera interview. (See the video at the top of this article.)
"There is a very real sense that our country has been in a downward spiral over the past four years, largely because we have turned away from the Judeo-Christian foundations of our country," Jeffries said. "For many people, I Believe that President Trump’s re-election represents God giving America another opportunity—perhaps her last—to reverse this downward trajectory.”
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"I'm talking about the things that have caused chaos in our country over the past four years," he said.
“Embrace a trans agenda that confuses our children. Our support for Israel, our only reliable ally in the Middle East, is shaken. And follows extreme environmental positions that may actually lead to, rather than prevent, what we are seeing. Some disaster."
The Rev. Robert Jeffries of Dallas, Texas, poses with President Donald Trump during Trump's first administration. (Olivier Doulieri/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Jeffries said all of these things "cause people of faith to grieve — but now they feel very hopeful that President Trump is about to enter the White House (again) and they are going to be filled with prayers for him."
He said the pastor will participate in some inaugural events but could not reveal specifics ahead of those events.
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Jeffries said he hopes all Americans will heed the Bible and pray for all "people in power" and those in power in this country.
"We pray for all leaders."
"Now, I know some of our viewers and readers might be saying, 'Pastor, are you a hypocrite? Would you say the same thing about Joe Biden?'" Jeffries said. “In fact, when Biden was elected I wrote an op-ed for Fox News saying that we may lament his election, but we need to abide by the Bible and pray for him.”
Jeffries added to Fox News Digital, "The Bible says we don't choose who we pray for. We pray for all leaders. I want to remind people that if President Trump wins with his agenda - which I think he will Win, then all of America wins, not just the Republican Party, but our entire country."
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump put their hands on their hearts during the Salute to America event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, Saturday, July 4, 2020 (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
He continued, "President Trump has been a good friend of mine for the last ten years. I spoke with him recently. I will speak with him again next week. I truly believe he wants to unite this country."
"I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised at the unity he's created in our country," Jeffries said. "Not everyone is going to agree with every policy he initiates, but I think they're going to see what he wants to do for all of us. The best thing about the country you love.”
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Jeffries said he has "no formal" faith-based counseling role, but rather "an informal friendship that I've cherished over the past decade. I basically like President Trump," he said. "He's a very likeable guy. I can tell you, he loves our country."
"He loved America and wanted the best for our country."
He said, "There is no legitimate reason why he would give up his life of luxury to do this and risk his life as he has done twice in the past few months. He does this because he loves America and wants the best for our country." something.”
"I think Americans should be able to follow any man or woman who feels that way about our country."
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump attends an election vigil party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Evan Vucci/AP)
Jeffries added that America's "greatness is in our goodness. The Bible says the only goodness we can have is our right relationship with God. I hope we will not only start this new year, but start with Trump A New Term of Government” If God blesses a nation, nothing can hinder His purposes or our success. "
At the same time, Jeffries noted how important it is to recognize the very real struggles and challenges — "I know people's biggest concern right now is the fires in Los Angeles and the devastation they've caused."
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In response to such tragedies, he said, "It's natural for people to ask 'why' questions. Why do these things happen? Why do they happen to me? I think sometimes that's an unanswerable question. Instead, really The question we should be asking is 'who' is in control of a world that seems to be spinning out of control?"
Jeffries shared an example from his own life.
"A few years ago, my wife Amy and I were driving at night in central West Texas in the dark during a rainstorm and our headlights malfunctioned and went out. So we drove into the dark.
"I couldn't see six inches in front of me, but I noticed an 18-wheeler behind me and I slowed down and let it pass me. Once it was in front of me, I focused on On its taillights. I followed it into the nearest town."
“Never forget that God is love.”
Jeffries added: "When we find ourselves in a spiral of chaos and pain, we wonder why these things happen. We can focus on three highlights of God. First, God is loving. The Bible says God never wants Forgetting God is love.”
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“Secondly, God is sovereign. That means He is in control of everything. Nothing surprises Him.
"In the end, God is strong enough to take the worst things that happen to us and use them for our good. The apostle Paul said, 'For God causes all things to work together for good.'"
"God will bring us safely to the other side." (iStock)
"For those who love Him, this doesn't mean everything that happens to us is good, but it means God is so gracious and powerful that He can withstand the worst things in our lives, like fires, A flood, a house falling apart, a relationship, a disease - he can use these terrible things to our advantage."
Jeffries added, “If we focus on the truth about God as we go through the storm, then God will deliver us safely to the other side.”
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Jeffries is the senior pastor of his 16,000-member church in Dallas. Fox News Contributor. His daily radio program, "Path to Victory," airs on more than 1,400 stations nationwide.
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His weekly television program is broadcast in 195 countries around the world, including fox country.
He is the author of nearly 30 books.