The local business owner who prayed over former President Donald Trump during his Monday press conference amid the storm wreckage in western North Carolina said God has used the disaster of Helene to unite a divided community.
Mike Stewart, whose construction business Pine View Buildings lost about 70 of its utility structures in the torrent of the Swannanoa River last month, also told The Christian Post he believes God gave him the opportunity to invoke wisdom and blessing on the former president in the waning weeks of a tumultuous campaign season.
“It was amazing,” he said. “I didn’t expect any opportunity to do that. I didn’t even expect we’d have an opportunity for him to be here. So, to me, it was ordained.
North Carolina man who lost his business in Hurricane Helene gives a powerful prayer alongside President Trump:
"I believe that you can serve as a great inspiration to this community right now… I think God's given you an indomitable spirit…" pic.twitter.com/9bnZ4AZ3ji
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 21, 2024
I got up early this morning and prayed, and knew I’d have a chance to speak and maybe an opportunity to pray, and they approved it.” “I was really honored that his campaign crew, the people who were with him, were willing for him to have prayer.”
After Trump’s black SUV steered into the cratered, muddy lot of a small auto repair shop along the debris-lined US Route 70, Stewart stood with a group of dignitaries and other devastated locals who flanked the former president as he delivered remarks to reporters from a makeshift wooden podium.
After somberly criticizing the federal disaster response while praising the resilience of western North Carolinians, Trump invited those behind him to say a few words.
When he was offered the podium, Stewart spoke directly to Trump, expressing his belief that Trump is “a warrior” whose “indomitable spirit” amid an onslaught of attacks would inspire a community struggling to rebuild.
After Trump embraced him, Stewart went on to pray over him, thanking God for raising him up in this season while also asking that He would give Trump “a spirit of wisdom, understanding and insight as he moves to lead this nation back to greatness. “
