Trump declares Sunday as 'National Day of Prayer' amid coronavirus threat

I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith, tweets US president

US President Donald Trump after declaring a national state of emergency in the country to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, has urged people to turn towards prayer as he termed March 15 as the ‘National Day of Prayer’.

“It is my great honour to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these,” said Trump in a tweet from his official handle on Friday.

It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2020

“No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!,” he added.

....No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2020

There are nearly 2,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US, and 43 deaths.

Trump awaits coronavirus test results as people avoid close contact

Trump has large support from white evangelical Christians and Catholic voters. As president, he has championed religious liberty and called for greater religious freedoms, such as strengthening prayer in public schools, according to Fox News.

In addition to the updated guidance on prayer in schools, the Trump administration also took action across nine federal agencies, releasing proposed rules to ensure religious organisations are not discriminated against by the federal government.

This article originally appeared on Fox News