MILWAUKEE — Around the N.C. Legislative Building in Raleigh, Neal Jackson is known as “the prayer guy.”

When the state legislature is in session, Jackson — a first-term member of the House of Representatives and pastor of Beulah Baptist Church of Bennett, N.C. — invites groups of pastors to pray over every seat in the N.C. General Assembly every Thursday morning before legislative business gets underway.

Jackson’s reputation as “the prayer guy” resulted in an invitation to pray on stage during last week’s Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee.

“The Trump campaign reached out and asked if I would be willing to pray,” Jackson recalled. “I said, ‘I’ve got to pray in Jesus’ name, is that going to be a problem?’

“They said, ‘None whatsoever,’ and I said, ‘OK.’”

Jackson, who was among the delegates representing North Carolina at last week’s convention, opened the Tuesday evening session of the RNC on July 16 with a prayer that was broadcast live on several national news networks. His prayer came on the second night of the convention and just three days after former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in which he suffered a gunshot wound to his right ear that came less than an inch from striking him in the head.

The theme of Tuesday evening’s session at the RNC was “Make America Safe Again,” which was drawn from Trump’s overarching campaign slogan “Make America Great Again.” Jackson referenced the theme before inviting delegates to join him in prayer.  

“Tonight’s theme is to ‘Make America Safe Again,’” Jackson said. “That is an impossible task without divine assistance.”

In his prayer, Jackson referenced the attempt on Trump’s life.

“Tonight, we ask that You would protect our country from those who would do us harm,” Jackson said. “Thank You for protecting President Trump from the many attacks leveled against him, but especially the attack this past Saturday.”

Jackson described security at the convention as “tight” and said he didn’t get a chance to personally interact with Trump in Milwaukee. Earlier this year, however, Jackson was among a small group of pastors who prayed with Trump prior to a campaign event in Greensboro, N.C., in late March.

Jackson said the chance to pray at the RNC was a personal highlight for him.

“The opportunity to call America to repentance and ask God for His favor upon our land was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will cherish,” Jackson said. 

Jackson has served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett for nearly 15 years. He was born in Pinehurst, N.C., but grew up in Atlanta where his dad pastored for 40 years. After college, Jackson embarked on a career as a financial planner and spent 13 years in the industry, but he ended up a pastor like his father and grandfather because he “couldn’t get away from the call.”

Fittingly, Jackson’s entry into politics began with praying for local elected officials after he was convicted by the scriptural command to pray for those in authority.

“I didn’t know any of them,” Jackson said. “So I just started reaching out to them and said, ‘Hey, I don’t know you, but I’m commanded to pray for you.’ I reached out to county commissioners, school board members, our state representative and others, and we just developed a friendship.”

When state Rep. Allen McNeill chose not to seek re-election in 2022, people encouraged Jackson to consider running for McNeill’s seat in the N.C. House of Representatives. For years, Jackson had been praying about entering the political arena, and when he floated the idea by his wife, Tracy, she encouraged him to run.

“Her words were, ‘You’ve always said you wanted to pastor the community, not just the people in the building. I think this is your opportunity,’” Jackson said.

With the support of his congregation, Jackson was elected to the state House in 2022 as a representative from District 78, which includes parts of Moore and Randolph counties. Jackson is seeking re-election this November.

“It’s been a great, wonderful, fantastic opportunity to witness for Jesus while pastoring a church and being in the legislature,” said Jackson, who emphasized the impact of prayer on state government.

“We passed a lot of great legislation this year, and I think it’s God answering our prayer,” Jackson said.

Following his prayer at the RNC, Jackson said he heard from lots of friends and family members, and many shared a similar sentiment.

“The No. 1 response was, ‘Thank you for praying in Jesus’ name,’” Jackson said.

Watch the video of Jackson’s prayer below.

Following is the full text of Jackson’s prayer at the RNC.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the blessings upon the United States of America. Thank You for Your provisions upon this land, Your protection of this land and Your promotion of this land, which is undeniable.

Your Word says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Tonight, we claim that for America, believing that You desire to bless and prosper our country as we honor You and Your ways.

Father, forgive us for when we have strayed from Your commandments, and grant us mercy.  

Tonight, we ask that You would protect our country from those who would do us harm.  

Thank You for protecting President Trump from the many attacks leveled against him, but especially the attack this past Saturday.

Tonight, we pray for our military leaders and officers, pray for police officers, our firefighters, our first responders, as they risk their lives so we can continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

You commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous. Tonight all across this country, I pray that You would raise up a generation of courageous leaders who follow You with their whole heart and govern with integrity.

We ask these things in the name that is above every name, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.