US pastor just freed by Turkey prays for Trump to have 'supernatural wisdom'

Newly-released American pastor Andrew Brunson, who was jailed in Turkey on spying and terrorism charges, has conducted “prayer” over US President Donald Trump in the White House, asking God to grant him “supernatural wisdom” following the cleric’s first return home after nearly two years.

During his high-profile visit to the Oval Office on Saturday, Brunson kneeled next to Trump, who remained seated in an armchair, and put his hand on the US president’s shoulder as he said a prayer with his head bowed and eyes closed.

“Lord God,” said the former Turkey-based priest and accused US spy, “I ask that you pour out your Holy Spirit on President Trump, that you give him supernatural wisdom to accomplish all the plans you have for this country and for him.”

Brunson then added: “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.”

The words of prayer for a controversial US president who has repeatedly made racist and derogatory remarks about other nations, ethnicities as well as women and the handicapped, came as Trump quipped that he probably needs prayer more than anyone else in the room, which included his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton and a number of senators.

Following Brunson’s prayer, his wife Norine Brunson further invoked her own prayer, asking for “the spirit of the Lord” to rest on the American president, who then jokingly asked her who she voted for in the last presidential election. 

“Could I ask you one question? Who did you vote for?” Trump said before pointed to himself with a smile. “I knew the answer.”

According to local press reports, Brunson then joked, “I would like to say I sent an absentee ballot from prison,” as Trump slapped him on the knee.

A Turkish court ordered the release of Brunson on Friday after his imprisonment led to a growing deterioration of ties between Ankara and Washington as NATO partners and key military allies.

PressTV-Turkish court allows US pastor to go free

The court ordered the release of Andrew Brunson, whose imprisonment sparked a row between Ankara and Washington.

The pastor was detained two years ago and has been under house arrest in the city of Izmir since July.

Brunson, 50, was indicted by a Turkish court on charges of having links with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group and the movement of the US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Brunson had denied the charges as “shameful.”

Trump threatened to impose "large sanctions" on Turkey in July over the detention of Brunson and demanded his immediate release by Ankara.

PressTV-Trump threatens Turkey to free detained US pastor

US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap “large sanctions” on Turkey if it fails to free detained American Christian pastor Andrew Brunson.

“The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being,” Trump tweeted at the time. “He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!”

Shortly before Trump’s tweet in July, US Vice President Mike Pence also leveled a similar threat directly at Turkey’s president.

“To President (Tayyip) Erdogan and the Turkish government, I have a message on behalf of the president of the United States of America: release Pastor Andrew Brunson now or be prepared to face the consequences,” Pence said at a religious freedom event in Washington hosted by the US State Department.

“The United States of America will impose severe economic sanctions on Turkey," he added.

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