Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was incarcerated in Turkey for two years, dropped to his knees in the Oval Office on Saturday and prayed for the man who won his freedom – President Donald J. Trump.
CNSNews.com is reporting on the release of Brunson, 50, an evangelical pastor from North Carolina who had been living in Turkey with his family for more than 20 years where he led a small congregation in the Izmir Resurrection Church. Brunson ran afoul of the Turkish government when he was accused of helping Kurdish militants and a Muslim cleric who the government believes was involved in a failed coup. If convicted, Brunson was facing 35 years in prison if convicted of all of the charges.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the US had repeatedly called for Brunson’s release but the Turkish government was insisting on terms that were not agreeable to the current administration. Trump insisted that the US will not pay ransom and wanted Brunson released without conditions and used the pastor’s plight as part of the reason why the US sanctioned two Turkish officials and doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. While keeping the pressure on the Turks, Trump offered better relations between the two countries.
Even though Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been resisting US demands for the pastor’s release, he eventually relented to US demands.
During a court appearance on Friday, Brunson was convicted of having links to terrorism and was sentenced to three years; however, because he had already served two years, the remainder of his sentence was waived. The court also dropped an earlier charge of espionage.
Brunson reportedly told the court, “I love Jesus. I love Turkey.”
Hours later, Brunson arrived at a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany where he received a medical checkup before being flown home to the U.S.
“From a Turkish prison to the White House in 24 hours,” Trump said while meeting with Brunson and his family and supporters in the Oval Office on Saturday. “That’s not bad.”
“We especially want to thank the administration,” the pastor told him. “You really fought for us – unusually so. From the time you took office, I know that you have been engaged, and Secretary of State Pompeo also was very engaged and fought for us, and Vice President Pence, we are very grateful, Mr. [National Security Advisor John] Bolton.”
After thanking everyone who supported him during his ordeal, he asked the president if he could pray for him.
“Well, I need it probably more than anybody in this room,” Trump said.
Brunson then knelt, and with a hand on the president’s shoulder, prayed:
“Lord God, I ask that you pour out your Holy Spirit on President Trump, that you give him supernatural wisdom to accomplish all of the plans you have for this country and for him.
“I ask that you give him wisdom in how to lead this country into righteousness.
“I ask that you give him perseverance and endurance and courage, to stand for truth. I ask that you protect him from slander, from enemies, from those who would undermine. I ask that you make him a great blessing to this country.
“Fill him with your wisdom, and strength, and perseverance. And we bless him. May he be a great blessing to our country. In Jesus’ name, we bless you. Amen.”
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