A group of Christian pastors and faith leaders gathered in the Oval Office at the White House to pray for US President Donald Trump, highlighting the administration’s growing emphasis on faith-based engagement in government.

During the meeting, evangelical pastors surrounded the president at the Resolute Desk and offered prayers for guidance, wisdom and protection as he led the country. Images and videos from the event showed several religious leaders placing their hands on Trump while praying.

The gathering was organised with the involvement of the White House Faith Office and included prominent evangelical figures such as Robert Jeffress, Samuel Rodriguez and historian David Barton.

Pastor Jeffress later said it was an honour to lead prayers for the president, while other faith leaders described the meeting as “an incredible day” and a meaningful moment to pray for national leadership.

Participants asked God to grant the president wisdom, protect him from harm and help advance policies rooted in what they described as faith-based values and justice.

The prayer gathering reflects Trump’s ongoing outreach to evangelical Christian groups, a key political base. His administration has promoted religious initiatives, including the establishment of a White House Faith Office to coordinate engagement with religious leaders and advocate for religious liberty.

Supporters say the meetings highlight the importance of faith in public life and provide spiritual support for national leadership. Critics, however, argue that such events raise concerns about the separation of church and state and the role of religion in government policy.

The Oval Office prayer event is the latest example of the close relationship between the Trump administration and conservative Christian leaders, a partnership that has increasingly shaped political messaging and policy discussions in Washington. (Nigerian Tribune, but headline rejigged)