Teen invited to pray for legislators after graduation prayer goes viral
CLAY, Ala. (Christian Examiner) -- The high school graduate and potential politician whose powerful graduation prayer went viral last week will experience his first legislative session June 3 when he delivers the opening prayer for the Alabama House of Representatives.
Christian Crawford drew international attention at his May 21 graduation when he stepped up to deliver a powerful, impromptu prayer after a woman attending the Clay-Chalkville High School ceremony collapsed and suffered a seizure.
Crawford, who plans to attend Auburn University as a political science major, took the podium and addressed 300 of his fellow graduates and the roughly 1,000-member crowd with the authority of a seasoned orator.
"Everybody can I have your attention real quick -- we don't know what's going on but we will pray. We know that prayer is power, and that God is able," he began.
Having already delivered a prepared prayer for the ceremony, Crawford now drew from his experience speaking at Christian youth events and teaching Sunday School at his home church, New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham, the Trussville Tribune reported.
The words that followed were applauded and cheered by those present and then widely received by countless others on social media, after Tribune posted it on YouTube.
"We pray right now that whatever is going on, you will fix it, God. We pray that you will heal it, God. We pray that you will redeem it, God. We pray that you will deliver it, God. Because we know that you are a God who knows how to make a way. And in the name of Jesus we declare and decree in the name of Jesus that whatever is going on shall be fixed, because you are a God who is a fixer. You are a God who is a healer. Jehovah God, Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-nissi, Jehovah-shiloh. Fix it, Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen."
The inspiring prayer has touched hundreds of thousands since it was posted online. The video of his prayer has been viewed 641,315 times since it was published and was also broadcast on various media outlets.
The prayer also caught the attention of Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, who invited Crawford to offer a prayer for Alabama's legislators next week. Garrett, who represents Crawford's district, said he invited Crawford to pray out of admiration, Al.com reported.
"He was very poised, and also I thought it was very heartfelt and genuine. It was just a really good thing in our community, and I was really proud of him. I wanted to meet him and shake his hand. I admired him," the lawmaker said.
Garrett also said he was aware the teen had interest in politics and welcomed the opportunity to introduce him to state politics and politicians.
Despite all the attention, Crawford meets the exposure with the same maturity he demonstrated on stage in a moment of crisis the night of his graduation.
"People are saying, 'You're famous,'" Crawford told the Trussville Tribune, immediately redirecting the spotlight.
"No, God is famous. It's not about me at all. It's all about God, and if God's fame is being exalted because of what I prayed about, then I'm doing what God has called me to do, and that's to make a difference."
Crawford's faith has led some to think he might be better suited for a pastorship instead of politics. The young man said he can see God using him in both arenas.
"I want to be it all," Crawford said. "No limits. Whatever God has in store, I'll walk in it."