Vice President Mike Pence’s comments in the White House Rose Garden on the National Day of Prayer reveal his deep faith in prayer that’s rooted in Scripture.
After his initial greetings, Pence said, “You know, for our family, prayer has always been an important part of our lives, just as it has for millions of Americans. Karen and I will both attest that the sweetest words that we ever hear are when people will take a moment, walk up, and say, ‘I’m praying for you.’ And you know they mean it from their hearts and we hear it all of the time. We can attest firsthand, America is a nation of prayer.
“The American people have long believed in the power of prayer, that the effective and fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much [James 5:16], and that in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, we’re to present our request to God with the promise that the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:6-7]
After a brief history of prayer in the United States, the Vice President continued, “In these times of heartache for tens of thousands of American families and hardship for tens of millions, now more than ever it’s important that we take time to pause and to pray for America.”
He then continued, “We’ve seen people of every creed in this country, in every city and every state, step forward to put feet on their faith with countless acts of kindness and generosity to those in need. The Bible says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” [Lamentations 3:22] And neither have the compassions or the generosity of the American people failed in this hour.
Vice President Pence presented a call to prayer for four different groups of people.
- Victims of the Coronavirus–“On this National Day of Prayer, pray for the families who’ve lost loved ones. And pray for those, who at this very hour, are struggling with the severest consequences of the coronavirus.”
- Frontline Caregivers–”Pray for our doctors and nurses and healthcare workers who have cared for our families as if they were their own, and have not just provided the healthcare that any one of us would want for a loved one, but in so many cases, our doctors and nurses, and healthcare workers have literally taken the place of family and loved ones for patients enduring the isolation of the coronavirus.”
- First Responders–”Pray for the police, firefighters, and first responders who, without regard to their personal safety, have rendered care and sped those impacted by this dread virus to healing hands. And as we gather today and remember these families and these heroes, and all of those who have labored every day to protect our nation during these challenging times.
- Those in the Armed Forces–”Let’s also remember to pray for all of the men and women who defend this nation in good times and bad, who wear the uniform of the United States, who are standing a post at this hour in far-flung places around the world, who are deploying as we speak to defend this great nation. Let’s remember them as well.”
Pence then referenced 2 Chronicles 7:14 in closing: “And on this National Day of Prayer, as we pray for the American people, for every American of every creed, let’s do so with faith in those ancient words that Americans have clung to throughout our history: That if His people who are called by His name will humble themselves and pray, let’s know that He’ll do like He’s always done throughout every challenging hour in the history of this nation. He’ll hear from Heaven, and He’ll heal this land.”