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SALT LAKE CITY — On Thursday, Debbie Marriott Harrison stepped to a podium in the Rose Garden at the White House and offered up a prayer.
Harrison, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Public Affairs Advisory Council, was one of six religious leaders to participate in the White House National Day of Prayer service. It was an event dominated by one plea: to help the nation and the world overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are united in prayer today, to ask a special blessing of deliverance, deliverance from this pandemic that has covered the earth in a devastating sickness,” Harrison said.
The 2020 National Day of Prayer comes amid a global health crisis. COVID-19 has resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 Americans. And with record unemployment claims, many have turned to faith looking for peace.
President Donald Trump expressed his gratitude to the leaders for caring for their communities in this “hour of need.” The president said he is thankful that they've provided “meals to families, medical supplies to hospitals, and for providing spiritual strength."
As of April 30, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had donated $5.5 million to key relief agencies in the United States. The church has also partnered with local health agencies working to produce 5 million masks for health care workers.
"In recent days and weeks, our country has endured a grave hardship. We pray for every family stricken with grief and devastated with a tragic loss," Trump said. "We pray for the doctors and for the nurses and for the first responders waging war against the invisible enemy. We pray for the scientists and researchers pioneer(ing) treatments, that they find therapies and vaccines and that they find them soon."
That prayer was echoed by the religious representatives.
Harrison asked God to provide a “special protection” for the doctors, nurses, and caregivers as they continue to battle the disease.
“Bless our scientists and doctors to develop effective treatments for those who are sick and those who may become sick,” she said. “We pray that a safe and effective vaccine can be developed quickly to protect us so that life can return to normal.”
Harrison also asked for a blessing on the leaders to work together in harmony in order to make wise decisions for the nation.
“We love Thee, Heavenly Father, and call down upon the powers of Heaven to help us, unite us and deliver us from these troubled times,” Harrison concluded.
