Anne-Graham Lotz, daughter of renowned evangelist Billy Graham, has said she believes Donald Trump's shocking win on Tuesday night is proof that God "has indeed heard from Heaven".
In a Nov. 9 blog post, the founder of AnGel Ministries shared her thoughts on the billionaire businessman's dramatic victory and urged her followers to commit to praying that he would be a faithful leader.
She began by quoting 1 Chronicles 14:2, which reads, "And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel."
Lotz wrote: "God has established Mr. Trump as the 45th President of the United States...for the sake of the American people. God has kept the first part of His promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14...If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and will heal their land."
She added that the "only possible answer" for Trump's surprising win over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was that "God has indeed heard from Heaven."
"Just as certainly as He has answered our prayers for the national election, He will forgive the sin that we have confessed to Him," Lotz explained. "Because He said He would. Now it's time to claim His promise for the healing of our land."
She encouraged fellow believers to join her in thanking God for "hearing and answering our prayers" and to give God the glory "for this remarkable, dramatic turn of events."
However, now is not the time to slack off in prayer, but to double down, Lotz said. "Pray that God would give the President-elect wisdom for decisions, courage to do the right thing, protection from danger, strength to govern after a grueling race, grace under the continued fire of opposition, and blessing upon blessing as he seeks to lead our nation forward and up."
Lotz continued: "Pray that God would surround Mr. Trump with godly men and women who will offer encouragement, support, and wise counsel. Pray that as God's blessings flow, healing would begin."
"Now is the time to recommit ourselves to focusing...not on a particular man or political party...but on the living God of our fathers who is our Hope and who alone can bring the healing America desperately needs," she concluded. "Now is the time to pray! And keep praying..."
Lotz's brother, Franklin Graham, the president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, similarly suggested that pollsters and media outlets confused by Trump's win simply didn't take into account the influence of faith and prayer.
In a Facebook post, he asked, "Did God show up? In watching the news after the election, the secular media keep asking 'How did this happen?' 'What went wrong?' 'How did we miss this?'
"Some are in shock. Political pundits are stunned. Many thought the Trump/Pence ticket didn't have a chance. None of them understand the God-factor."
"Hundreds of thousands of Christians from across the United States have been praying. This year they came out to every state capitol to pray for this election and for the future of America. Prayer groups were started. Families prayed. Churches prayed. Then Christians went to the polls, and God showed up."
Ahead of the election, Graham urged Americans to pray for the nation and for the candidates and other elected officials, and even prayed in a live online broadcast viewed by an estimated 1.5 million people.
"President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence are going to need a lot of help and they will continue to need a lot of prayer," Mr. Graham added. "I pray that President-elect Trump will surround himself with godly men and women to help advise and counsel him as he leads the nation. My prayer is that God will bless America again!"
