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I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Tim 2:1-2)

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About 100 evangelical leaders were invited to dinner at the White House Monday night for what was a prayer-filled event that’s been compared to a church camp meeting and a campaign rally.

Dubbed a “state dinner” for evangelical leaders, the event was held specifically in the “honor of evangelical leadership.” The dinner was attended by dozens of evangelical pastors, evangelists and activists who’ve been involved in informally advising the administration including well-known figures like Franklin Graham, James Dobson, and Greg Laurie.

The dinner was also attended by Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Homeland Security Ben Carson, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and Ambassador at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback. The event was officially hosted by first lady Melania Trump.

“We are here today to celebrate America’s heritage of faith, family and freedom,” Trump told the crowd. “As you know in recent years, the government tried to undermine religious freedom but the attacks on communities of faith are over. We’ve ended it.”

Trump continued by boasting about the promises his administration has kept to a conservative evangelical base that played a large role in helping him win the 2016 presidential election.

The president went on about how his administration has taken several steps to protect religious liberty for conservatives who object to things like abortion or gay marriage, his administration’s pro-life victories and how the administration has spoken out about worldwide religious persecution.

Trump even took a moment to recognize Dobson and his wife, Shirley on their 58th wedding anniversary. Trump concluded by telling the crowd that they are “very special people.”

“The support you have given me has been incredible but I really don’t feel guilty because I have given you a lot back — just about everything I promised,” Trump said. “As one of our great pastors just said, ‘Actually, you have given us much more than you have promised.’ And I think that is true.”…

What ensued, Graham said, was about 35 to 40 minutes of pastors expressing their appreciation for what the Trump administration has been able to do to progress a socially conservative agenda in the last 18 months. While Christians are often called to speak “truth to power,” Graham said the leaders in the room felt called to speak “love to power.”

“They were getting up and saying what we appreciate and care about, expressing our faith and our love. It was very similar to a meeting that you would have at a church,” Graham said, adding that it was like a testimony meeting. “With that many preachers and Christian leaders in the room, we believe the spirit of God was very present. Scripture was shared, verses were given to the president. The truth was delivered and love was delivered.”…

Graham noted that many prayers were offered throughout the night.

In a statement provided to CP, Dr. James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family and Family Talk radio, said the dinner was “wonderful” and unlike any event he has attended at the White House before.

“I have served five presidents in the past 38 years and this was perhaps the most exciting event in that time,” Dobson said. “The president spoke first and thanked us generously for the support we have given to him and his Administration since his inauguration. At least 15 ministers and leaders then rose to thank Mr. Trump for keeping his promises during the campaign and since his inauguration.”…

The difference between Monday’s dinner and last May’s dinner, Graham said, is Monday’s dinner was far less structured and allowed for more of a “conversation” between the leaders and the president.

“It was basically like a state dinner in the way that it was organized with the president, vice president, members of the cabinet and so on,” Graham explained. “It was the first time that anyone knows about … a sitting president of the United States that has gathered evangelicals at a state-type dinner.”…

“In providence in the plan of God, this was planned weeks ago,” Jack Graham said. “Tonight was the night and it was a very special night with a very special leader and his wife with some great people in that room who are working hard for our churches and our communities.” (Excerpts from Samuel Smith article in The Christian Post)