Right-wing pastor and Trump supporter Franklin Graham asked people to pray for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Twitter while glaringly refusing to do the same for President Joe Biden, resulting in significant backlash.
Russian troops are now invading Eastern Ukraine after months of tensions over Ukraine’s desire to join NATO and make economic and military alliances with Western Europe and the United States.
But instead of condemning Putin and backing Biden, Graham asked for prayers for Putin by name as the right-wing idolatry of the Russian leader continues.
“Pray for President Putin today,” Graham wrote. “This may sound like a strange request, but we need to pray that God would work in his heart so that war could be avoided at all cost. May God give wisdom to the leaders involved in these talks & negotiations, as well as those advising them.”
Pray for President Putin today. This may sound like a strange request, but we need to pray that God would work in his heart so that war could be avoided at all cost. May God give wisdom to the leaders involved in these talks & negotiations, as well as those advising them.
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 18, 2022
Russia has been attacking our nation for years, including by interfering in our elections. They have Russian stooges in the Republican Party and several GOP-backing organizations. And Donald Trump himself served as Putin’s puppet in the White House. Republicans even support Putin more than they do their own president when that president is a Democrat. It’s disgusting and shows just how un-American Republicans are.
Americans on Twitter shamed Graham.
Hahahahaha please. my prayers are for Ukraine. I guess you believe in Putin’s authoritarian rule.
— Thee Very Asian Dr Good Trouble 👸🏽 (@flipped54) February 18, 2022
Graham is praying for Putin? Maybe he should move to Moscow. He can take Trump with him.
— BON (@Dist_5) February 19, 2022
You ask for prayers for President of Russia, but you can’t pray for the President of the United States..
— 𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕤 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕪 (@kshering) February 18, 2022
Sure Frank. pic.twitter.com/NqjiEDROvM
— Dax (@Dax28405851) February 19, 2022
It doesn’t sound like a strange request coming from you, Franklin. You have a history of cozying up to authoritarians and denigrating those who are actually on the side of democracy.
— Susan P. (@pagesturnedblog) February 18, 2022
Putin literally blew up a passenger airliner and mercilessly murdered 298 people. https://t.co/ejUWPo7KoT
— 🌱crft (@keraz37) February 19, 2022
Why don’t you ask for prayers for the innocent
people of Ukraine? They have done nothing to warrant Putin’s aggression other than desiring to live their lives in peace and democracy.— WaterMusic #VoteBlue2022💉💉💉🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@WaterMusic3) February 19, 2022
See, as a Reverend myself, I would start this prayer for our nation’s leaders first. Then for the peoples most directly impacted. For Europe. Then a prayer for the enemies to open their hearts and to seek humility. But I see you. And your way. It speaks volumes.
— I am GenX And I’m Not Going To Take It Anymore (@Hibblebee) February 19, 2022
Conservatives in this country are actively rooting for Putin and against democracy. They deserve to be shunned and shamed.
Featured Image: Screen capture via Twitter.
