Prior to the command to start of Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, popular Christian reality TV star—and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) supporter—Phil Robertson gave the invocation.
That, in and of itself, isn’t all that unusual. Prayer is an integral part of Duck Dynasty, the A&E program in which Robertson is a star. Rather, it’s what he said that raised the eyebrows of some of those who were watching.
“All right, Texas, we got here via Bibles and guns,” he said. “I’m fixing to pray to the one who made that possible. Father, thank You for founding our nation. I pray, Father, that we don’t forget who brought us. You.
“Our faith in the blood of Jesus and His resurrection. Help us, Father, to get back to that. Help us, dear God, understand that the men and women on my right, the U.S. military. On my right and on my left. Our faith in you and the U.S. military is the reason we’re still here.
“I pray, Father, that we put a Jesus man in the White House. Help us do that and help us all to repent to do what’s right to love you more and to love each other. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.”
Robertson’s “Jesus man” comment drew a lot of comments, particularly from the liberal-secularist Left, which felt the comment was inappropriate for a mainstream audience. The Robertson family’s Louisiana-based business, Duck Commander, was sponsoring the race.
