Here's How President Trump, and the First Lady Observed Sunday's National Day of Prayer

News Staff : Sep 5, 2017
CBN News

"As response and recovery efforts continue, and 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...'" -Presidential proclamation

(Washington, DC)—[CBN News] President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended church services Sunday morning, at St. John's Church near the White House. This is the first time the president has visited the Episcopal church, popularly referred to as "the Church of the Presidents," since becoming commander-in-chief. (Photo: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania attend services at St. John's Church/Susan Walsh/AP/via The Star)

Mr. Trump and the First Lady reportedly sat in the "president's pew" for the first time.

Afterwards, Mrs. Trump tweeted, "Beautiful service today at St. John's. @POTUS and I wishing you many blessings on this National Day of Prayer."

St. John's joined other churches across the nation, like Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, in a special National Day of Prayer in the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

During Cornerstone's Sunday morning worship service, Pastor John Hagee dedicated a prayer for all Texans who had been "disadvantaged" or "destroyed" by the storm, reminding his megachurch congregants that they are "totally dependent" on God. 

"We pray for all of our friends in the city of Houston, in Rockport, [and] in every city of the south part of this state," Hagee, Cornerstone's senior pastor, said. "Some have lost every possession that they have. Some are in debt for those worthless possessions. Some have lost their health. Some have lost their lives."

"I ask You to look from the balconies of Heaven today and to comfort the brokenhearted," Hagee continued. "I ask You, God, to restore what satan has taken from the righteous and give it back to them many times over. I ask for the peace of God that surpasses all understanding to flood our hearts and minds, because His peace is greater than the storm."

Evangelist Franklin Graham wrote on his Facebook page Sunday, "The Bible encourages us, 'Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need' (Hebrews 4:16)."

"Will you pray for all those who are homeless today?" he asked. "Thousands and thousands have lost their homes and everything they own."

"Especially today, let us pray for those who lost loved ones as a result of this deadly storm," Graham continued. "They have suffered unbelievable loss—may God comfort them."

Dr. Robert Jeffress, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, wrote, "Please join our church in prayer for the victims of our state, and our nation on this National Day of Prayer." A picture of church leadership and congregants bowing their heads in prayer accompanied the post.

President Trump declared Sunday to be a "National Day of Prayer," late last week—joining with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has also called on Texans to pray for recovery efforts after the historic storm.

"We are deeply grateful for those performing acts of service, and we pray for healing and comfort for those in need," the president's proclamation reads.

"As response and recovery efforts continue, and 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.

"I call on all Americans and houses of worship throughout the Nation to join in one voice of prayer, as we seek to uplift one another and assist those suffering from the consequences of this terrible storm," Trump continued.

Meanwhile, the governor of Texas also called on his fellow Texans and people around the country to pray for the Lone Star State on Sunday.

Abbott issued a proclamation calling for an official day of prayer for Texans "of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds."

The governor is urging people to pray for the safety of first responders, public safety officers and military personnel involved in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

He's also calling for prayers for the "healing of individuals, rebuilding of communities and the restoration of the entire region struck by this disaster."

Abbott applauded Texans for helping each other through the ordeal and noted they are grateful for the support and resources they've received in days since Harvey struck.

Harvey has caused record flooding in parts of the state and has been blamed for the deaths of more than 30 people.