The family of longtime U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is asking for prayers after the South Carolina Republican died Saturday at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”
According to a statement released by Graham’s office and reported by the Associated Press, the family expressed gratitude for the many messages of support they have received while requesting privacy as they grieve.
“His family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said, according to the AP.
For more than three decades in Congress, Graham became one of the nation’s most recognizable Republican lawmakers. He was widely known for his outspoken positions on national security, his close working relationship with President Donald Trump in recent years and his unwavering support for Israel, according to the Associated Press and The Jerusalem Post.
Trump was among the first leaders to publicly honor Graham’s life and legacy.
In a post on Truth Social, the president remembered the senator as both a trusted friend and devoted patriot.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump wrote. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed,” according to the Associated Press.
Across Israel, leaders also reflected on the loss of a man many viewed as one of the Jewish state’s strongest allies in Washington.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Graham’s steadfast commitment to Israel throughout his years in public office, saying the senator understood that the security of Israel and the United States was deeply connected.
“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said, according to The Jerusalem Post.
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Throughout his Senate career, Graham consistently championed military assistance for Israel, urged a firm response to Iran’s growing influence in the Middle East and repeatedly defended the strategic partnership between the United States and the Jewish state. His advocacy earned him the respect of Israeli leaders across multiple administrations, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Even in the days leading up to his death, Graham remained actively engaged in foreign affairs. The Jerusalem Post reported that he had recently traveled to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the ongoing war with Russia and continued international support for Ukraine’s defense.
Born in Central, South Carolina, Graham first served as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force before beginning a congressional career that spanned more than 30 years. Although he and Trump were once political rivals during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, the two later developed a close working relationship, particularly on foreign policy and national security issues, according to the Associated Press.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the United States and around the world, Graham’s family’s request for prayer has become one of the defining messages surrounding his passing. Beyond the public office he held and the policies he championed, those closest to him are simply asking for the comfort that only God can provide during a season of profound loss.
Scripture reminds believers to “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). As Graham’s family mourns and world leaders reflect on his legacy, Christians can faithfully respond by lifting his loved ones in prayer and asking the Lord to surround them with His peace, strength and abiding presence in the days ahead.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
