Asheville, North Carolina (CNN) -- President Obama prayed Sunday with the Rev. Billy Graham at Graham's mountaintop home before leaving North Carolina to attend the memorial service for 29 West Virginia coal miners killed in a recent explosion. Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Graham at his family home, according to Graham spokesman Larry Ross. He is the 12th president, dating back to Harry Truman, to meet with the so-called "pastor to the presidents." "I am pleased to have had President Obama in my home this afternoon," Graham said in a statement, adding that Obama sought the meeting while on vacation in Asheville for the weekend. "My son Franklin and I enjoyed a brief visit with the president, followed by a time of prayer together."
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Obama is first sitting U.S. president to visit Graham home, Graham's spokesman says
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Obama was "extraordinarily gratified" for the meeting, White House says
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Graham presented Obama with two Bibles -- one for him, other for Michelle Obama
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Army pulled invitation for Graham's son to speak at Pentagon on Day of Prayer
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During the meeting, @placeholder said, Obama shared some insights about his faith and the challenges of being commander-in-chief.
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Obama was "extremely gratified" that Graham made time for the meeting and private prayer, @placeholder spokesman Bill Burton said.
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@placeholder told CNN the visit came together hastily after the White House officially inquired on Friday, after Obama arrived in North Carolina.
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Ross told CNN the visit came together hastily after the White House officially inquired on Friday, after Obama arrived in @placeholder.
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@placeholder and his family vacationed in Asheville over the weekend, and the first couple played tennis Sunday morning before their departure, Burton said.
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@placeholder's invitation was not the only controversy swirling about the National Day of Prayer this year.