FOX First Report: In exclusive comments to Fox News Digital, Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, commented on the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night, “I join millions of Americans and people around the world in thanking God that former President Donald Trump is safe. It is clear that God's protecting hand was on him.”
He added: “I believe all of this reminds us of the importance of prayer today and in the days to come.”
Gunshots rang out and Secret Service agents covered Trump as he fell to the stage floor, before the former president rose to his feet and pumped his fist into the crowd before being removed from the stage. He was taken to a medical facility and later declared “safe.”
Faith leaders offer urgent prayers for former President Donald Trump after Pennsylvania rally shooting
Graham continued, “Donald Trump has given everything he has – time, energy and money – to fighting for America. And now, as one of his sons pointed out, he's bleeding for America. Even with the blood streaming down his face, he left the rally urging the crowd to keep fighting for America.”
He continued in his comments to Fox News Digital: “As Christians, we know that the most powerful way we fight is to get on our knees and pray. God is the only hope for our country and for us individually.”
Former Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump suffered a gunshot wound and was hurriedly escorted off the stage by U.S. Secret Service agents during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I also pray for the families of those in attendance who tragically died and those who were seriously injured,” Graham said.
Other faith leaders and pastors from around the country also spoke to Fox News Digital offering their thoughts and prayers for the former president and all those caught up in Saturday's riots in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“Signs of national division”
Jonathan Cahn, a New York City resident and New York Times bestselling author, told Fox News Digital in an email late Saturday night: “President Trump's shooting is horrifying and shocking, but not surprising. It's a sign of how divided our country is.”
Religious leaders and pastors from across the country spoke to Fox News Digital offering their thoughts and prayers to former President Trump and all those caught up in Saturday's riots in Butler, Pennsylvania. (iStock)
“According to the Bible, such bloodshed is a sign that the nation is in danger. We must pray for the victims and their families, for Donald Trump and for America,” Khan said.
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He added, “America has become a house divided, and according to God's Word, a house divided cannot stand.” Kahn's upcoming book is “The Dragon's Prophecy: Israel, the Return of Darkness, and the End of the World.”
“Let us rely on the Creator”
“It sounds easy to say our concerns and prayers are with President Trump, but it really is,” Alex McFarland, founder and president of Greensboro, North Carolina-based Alex McFarland Ministries, told Fox News Digital.
Former Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is assisted by U.S. Secret Service agents after shots rang out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. (REUTERS/Brendan McDiarmid)
He added, “It may be difficult for us to read the signs of the times and take action to repent of our sins and turn away from evil ways, but it is absolutely necessary.”
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“Moments like these teach us to rely on our Creator and Savior on behalf of our families, our country and our nation's leaders.”
“God have mercy.”
“The intense hatred from the atheist sector of our society failed to defeat President Trump today,” Katie Tallent, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition for Healthcare Sharing Ministries, told Fox News Digital.
She added: “We grieve for our country but are heartened by his resistance in the face of evil. God have mercy.”
“We will do our best again to turn the situation around.”
Craig Huey, a speaker, commentator and author based in Nashville, Tennessee, told Fox News Digital: “America needs to pray for President Trump, his family and the innocent victims killed at his rallies. We need to recommit ourselves to rebuilding our culture and our politics.”
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“Churches across America should use this Sunday to call the nation to repentance and to thank God that President Trump survived the assassination attempt,” he said.
“Pray for a protective hedge”
The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, pastor and president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, wrote on his social media accounts and shared with Fox News Digital Saturday night, “Political violence is evil! I pray for a speedy recovery for President Trump. I pray for a protective wall around President Trump and President Biden.”
He added, “I pray in Jesus' mighty name that all Americans would denounce and reject every vestige of rhetorical and physical violence from our political discourse!”
Maureen McKee is lifestyle editor for Fox News Digital.