Partisan political prayers are gross.

Partisan prayers like the one given by Pastor Joshua Graber during a recent Trump rally are divisive and reinforce poor theology.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Christians are called to pray for those in leadership.

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth," (1 Timothy 2:1-4, ESV).

When officials govern well, when they protect our liberty, for instance our right to worship publicly and to practice our faith, it is a blessing for us. We should be thankful for that.

I don't think there is anything wrong with praying for poltiical candidates, after all, Paul urges Chrisitans to intercede for "all people."

I don't even take issue with praying during a political rally.

I do have a serious problem with partisan prayers. They are gross. They are divisive. And they reinforce poor theology.

I have been to rallies and political events that included cringeworthy prayers.

The prayer offered by Pastor Joshua Graber of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Vinton, Iowa, during a Trump campaign rally in Waterloo, Iowa earlier this month, was particularly gross.