Jeb Bush congratulates Biden as he takes a swipe at former rival Trump by saying he has only prayed for the U.S. president for 'most of my adult life'

Former Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush offered his congratulations to Joe Biden on Saturday as the former vice president was named president-elect.

Yet Bush, Trump's former rival for the 2016 Republican nomination, also appeared to take a swipe at the president as he said that he 'prayed for our President most of my adult life' suggesting he may have taken a break over the past four years.   

'Congratulations to President-elect Biden,' Bush 67, wrote on Twitter. 

'I have prayed for our President most of my adult life. I will be praying for you and your success. 

Jeb Bush and Donald Trump debating in the Republican primary debates in 2016. On Saturday, Jeb congratulated Trump's rival Joe Biden on defeating him in the election

'Now is the time to heal deep wounds. Many are counting on you to lead the way,' he added.

Bush has remained quiet throughout Trump's presidency after the reality TV star ended his attempt to continue on the family's political dynasty, winning the nomination away in 2016 with ease. 

Trump repeatedly belittled Bush as 'Low Energy Jeb' during the campaign and Bush later berated his rival's lack of 'temperament or strength of character'. 

Jeb suspended his campaign in February 2016 after Trump took massive wins early on in the primaries. 

Trump has feuded with the Bush clan on numerous occasions since he entered the 2016 presidential race. 

The president did not attend Barbara Bush's funeral in 2018, although he did go to George H.W. Bush's funeral later that year.

Earlier this year, he criticized George W. Bush for being 'nowhere to be found' during the impeachment process against him.

It was reported that George W. Bush would not vote to reelect the president this year, although the 43rd president's spokesman played the rumors down.

He is alleged to have voted 'none of the above' in the 2016 election. 

The elder George Bush - who died in 2018 - voted for Hillary Clinton four years ago, according to the author of a book about the two Presidents Bush.

Jeb Bush openly admitted that he could not support Trump in 2016, saying he would not vote for either Trump or Clinton.

Trump repeatedly belittled Bush as 'Low Energy Jeb' during the 2016 Republican primary campaign and Bush later berated his rival's lack of 'temperament or strength of character'

Trump did later win the support of some members of the Bush family, however. 

The family's youngest political heir George P. Bush, 44, backed him for re-election in June, which Trump declared a 'great honor'.

George P., who is Jeb's son, claimed that Trump was the 'only thing standing between America and socialism'. 

The grandson of former President George W. Bush is the only family member who still holds public office.  

He took office as Texas land commissioner in 2015 and has sometimes been the subject of speculation about running for higher office.

George P. previously endorsed Trump in 2016 despite Jeb Bush's primary defeat, telling voters to 'make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton'.

In his re-election campaign for land commissioner in 2018 he received an endorsement from the president's son, Donald Trump Jr. 

Another grandson, Pierce Bush, launched a Texas congressional campaign in December but was defeated in the primaries earlier this year.

Similar to this year's tight race, George W. Bush only became president by 538 votes in Florida in 2000 after a month-long series of battles. 

He has not yet commented on Biden's win but former president Jimmy Carter did send his congratulations. 

The Democratic president said: 'We are proud of their well-run campaign and look forward to seeing the positive change they bring to our nation.' 

Former Democratic president Jimmy Carter also sent his congratulations to Biden