Pence, Prayer, Power, and Politics

Put your hands together and bow your heads. Let’s talk about prayer and our politics.

I really want to understand.

During the third of the Jan. 6 House Hearings on June 16, there was a moment where Rep. Pete Aguilar’s questioning of Greg Jacob, former Vice President Mike Pence’s chief counsel, inexplicably turned to prayer.

PETE AGUILAR: Mr. Jacob, we heard earlier that you and the Vice President and the team started January 6th with a prayer. You faced a lot of danger that day. And this is a personal question, but how did your faith guide you on January 6th?

GREG JACOB: My faith really sustained me through it. I, down in the secure location, pulled out my Bible, read through it, and just took great comfort. Daniel 6 was where I went, and in Daniel 6, Daniel has become the second in command of Babylon, a pagan nation that he completely faithfully serves. He refuses an order from the king that he cannot follow and he does his duty in — consistent with his oath to God. And I felt that that’s what had played out that day.

AGUILAR: It spoke to you?

JACOB: Yes.

AGUILAR: At the end of the day, [Pence’s chief of staff] Marc Short sent the Vice President a text message with a Bible verse. Here’s what he told the select committee.

MARC SHORT (via videotape): At 3:50 in the morning, when we finally adjourned and headed our ways, I remember texting the Vice President a passage from Second Timothy chapter four verse seven about, I fought the good fight. I finished the race. I have kept the faith.

AGUILAR: He started his day with a prayer and ended his day with a Bible verse. I’ve fought the good fight. I finished the race. I’ve kept the faith.

I see what Aguilar was going for here. Casting a spiritual light on the former Vice President’s actions is an interesting approach. I’m sure for some this was a warm and fuzzy moment. For others, a blip.

But for me? It opened an introspective can of worms. I am, after all, a bit of a navel gazer and make sport of active listening. I believe in a Great Creator. I respect and admire many people of faith.