President Trump has declared Sunday a National Day of Prayer amid the worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus. “We are a country that has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these…”
President Trump has declared Sunday a “National Day of Prayer” amid the worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
Trump made the declaration on Friday, the same day he also declared a national emergency over COVID-19, which has killed thousands of people worldwide.
“It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer,” Trump tweeted on Friday. “We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these.”
“As we continue to face the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans are unable to gather in their churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship,” the president said in a proclamation. “But in this time we must not cease asking God for added wisdom, comfort, and strength, and we must especially pray for those who have suffered harm or who have lost loved ones.”
He said, “In our times of greatest need, Americans have always turned to prayer to help guide us through trials and periods of uncertainty. I ask you to join me in a day of prayer for all people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and to pray for God’s healing hand to be placed on the people of our nation.”
“No matter where you may be,” Trump wrote in a follow-up tweet, “I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!”
With Trump’s emergency declaration on Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will able to utilize resources from the Disaster Relief Fund to help provide support to states as local officials work to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
So far, data from the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering show over 156,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed worldwide, including 2,952 confirmed by the United States. More than 5,800 deaths from the virus have been reported across globe as well as over 73,000 recoveries.