Photo: Faith leaders look on as President Donald Trump signs a proclamation for a national day of prayer to occur on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Washington.
President Donald Trump proclaimed Sunday, September 3, a National Day of Prayer on Friday. He’s asking Americans to pray for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
“As Americans provide much needed relief to the people of Texas and Louisiana, we are reminded of Scripture’s promise that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,’” the proclamation states.
He also praised Americans for helping those harmed. “Americans have always come to the aid of their fellow countrymen — friend helping friend, neighbor helping neighbor, and stranger helping stranger,” he said. “As Americans, we know that no challenge is too great for us to overcome.”
The Proclamation
Trump signed his proclamation surrounded by several faith leaders. Among them was Dr. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas. Jeffress prayed over Trump after the signing. He asked God for physical, spiritual and emotional healing for the nation.
MOMENTS AGO: Pres. Trump declares Sunday a national day of prayer during meeting with religious leaders after Harvey https://t.co/T5uqoA85rO pic.twitter.com/PG2Klw8hL6
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 1, 2017
“From the beginning of our Nation, Americans have joined together in prayer during times of great need, to ask for God’s blessings and guidance,” Trump read from the proclamation. “As Americans, we know that no challenge is too great for us to overcome.”
Occasionally he broke from the brief prepared remarks. One such moment, he praised the Coast Guard for saving “thousands of lives.”
Trump’s proclamation follows a similar one by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott called for Texans of all faiths to join in prayer on Sunday. “It’s important that we remember the greatest power that exists is the power of God,” he said in Rockport, Texas. Rockport was the first coastal town hit by Harvey. Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence, Franklin Graham and several presidential cabinet members joined Abbott.
On Tuesday, yhe president and First Lady had visited Texas officials to talk recovery efforts. Trump has promised to donate $1 million of his own money toward the recovery.
If you haven’t already, please consider helping the victims of Tropical Storm Harvey. LIFE Outreach International, the parent organization of The Stream, is collecting donations here. The Red Cross is also collecting monetary gifts and blood. See here for more ways to help.
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Liberty McArtor is a Staff Writer for The Stream. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Patrick Henry College and previously worked in Washington, D.C. as a radio producer for WMAL’s weekend talk show and at First Liberty Institute in Plano, Texas. Liberty resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her husband and their beloved cat. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor.