Obama had traveled to nearby Asheville, N. C., and requested the visit — the first time a sitting president has visited Graham at his residence, said Graham’s longtime spokesperson, A. Larry Ross, Religion News Service reports.
Graham, who is age 91, issued a statement saying he was pleased with the April 25 visit and encouraging “Christians everywhere to pray for our president.”
The White House described the meeting as one of conversation and “private prayer” and said Obama, “is extraordinarily gratified that he took the time to meet with him.”
During the 35-minute meeting, the men were joined by Graham’s son and fellow evangelist Franklin Graham. Graham gave the president two Bibles, one for himself and another for first lady Michelle Obama.
Graham has met with 12 presidents over six decades, starting with Harry Truman in1950.
