The Bridge Between Faith and Politics

The role faith should play in the White House and politics has always raised brows and circulated much interest. As a result, people, including government officials and politicians, often ponder where a nation’s leadership looks for counsel in times of crisis. Throughout much of the 20^th century and early 21^st century, the answer could be summed up as “the Pastor to Presidents.” Billy Graham was given this title due to the personable relationships he formed with many United States presidents.

Dr. Graham offered friendship, counsel, and a listening ear to 13 presidents over his more than 60 years of ministry – many of which called on him during times of crisis and unrest in the country. Amongst the presidents who leaned on and sought out Dr. Graham’s counsel were President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Billy Graham and John F. Kennedy

As the first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy’s relationship with Dr. Graham was unique in that despite not always agreeing on spiritual beliefs, he greatly respected Dr. Graham and valued his input on both government and personal matters.

In his autobiography, Just As I Am, Dr. Graham shares,

“The dawn of the 1960s was a terribly difficult time for any world leader. I was encouraged that President Kennedy took the trouble to attend the annual Presidential Prayer Breakfast each of his three years in Washington. I was the speaker each of those years. I learned later that Mr. Kennedy had reportedly said I was the only Protestant clergyman with whom he felt comfortable.”

Much happened in the three years President Kennedy held office, and during that time, Dr. Graham’s relationship with the President grew. But some of the strongest memories for Dr. Graham were also some of the hardest.

The last time Dr. Graham saw President Kennedy was at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1963. After the breakfast, President Kennedy asked Dr. Graham to come back to the White House with him to talk. Dr. Graham was sick at the time so declined the invitation suggesting they get together to discuss what was on President Kennedy’s mind another time.

“His [President Kennedy’s] hesitation with the car door, and his request, haunt me still… Should I have gone with him,” pondered Dr. Graham in Just As I Am.

Not too long after this, President Kennedy was set to travel to Texas. 

“I unaccountably felt such a burden about the presidential visit to Dallas that I decided to phone our mutual friend, Senator Smathers, to tell him that I really wanted to talk to the President,” said Dr. Graham.

In his book, he shares that Senator Smathers was unavailable, so his secretary took the call, telling him that Senator Smathers would call him back. Instead, he sent a telegram thinking Dr. Graham wanted to discuss the President’s invitation to another golf game.

 “But all I wanted to tell him and the President was one thing: ‘Don’t go to Texas,’” Dr. Graham recalled.

Though Dr. Graham had an “inner foreboding that something terrible was going to happen,” he nor anyone he told about it could have imagined the events that would unfold. Following President Kennedy’s assassination, he was invited to sit among friends of the Kennedy family at the funeral.

Billy Graham and Lyndon B.  Johnson

Before the tragic events of November 1963, Dr. Graham had developed a close and meaningful relationship with then Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson. Their bond would become even more significant during Johnson’s presidency.

Dr. Graham describes President Johnson in Just As I Am writing,

“LBJ was a powerful, gigantic personality, whose charisma dominated the room the minute he entered it… Almost every time he swore in my presence he would quickly turn and say, ‘Excuse me preacher.’”

He went on to talk about how the world saw President Johnson as this complex character burdened by the pressures of the Vietnam War and domestic challenges, yet he had a sincere and deeply felt spiritual dimension.

President Johnson leaned on Graham as a trusted spiritual advisor and friend. Dr. Graham had many opportunities to visit the White House and President Johnson’s Texas ranch during and after his presidency. Their conversations weren’t always about politics. President Johnson also trusted Dr. Graham with his personal struggles and fears.

During times of domestic and national crisis, President Johnson found comfort in Dr. Graham’s counsel, often seeking his opinions and prayers. Dr. Graham recalls many times that President Johnson would call him late at night wrestling with difficult decisions, especially during the heights of the Vietnam War and civil rights.

Their relationship emphasized the benefits and power of having a “Pastor to Presidents.” The following excerpt from a letter President Johnson wrote to Dr. Graham sums it up best.

“No one will ever fully know how you helped to lighten my load or how much warmth you brought into our house… My mind went to those lonely occasions at the White House when your prayers and your friendship helped sustain a President in an hour of trial.”

—————————-

You can learn more about Billy Graham’s relationships with past Presidents when you take The Journey of Faith tour at the Billy Graham Library. Schedule your trip today!