FILE: Pastors from the Las Vegas area pray with Donald Trump during a visit to the International Church of Las Vegas, and International Christian Academy, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
US President Donald J. Trump was on Wednesday joined by over a hundred people including religious leaders, administration officials, and their guests at the White House in celebration of the “power of prayer.”
Church leaders present included Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Franklin Graham, James and Shirley Dobson, Jentzen Franklin, Jerry Falwell, Jr., Mike Huckabee, Robert Jeffress, Alveda King, Johnnie Moore, Ralph Reed, and Paula White.
The event precedes the nation’s National Day of Prayer held Thursday, 2 May.
In his opening remarks, CBN News reports that president Trump welcomed representatives of various faiths, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and Hindus.
“Tonight we break bread together united by our love of God, and we renew our resolve to protect the sacred freedom of religion – all of us,” Trump said.
“America will be a nation that believes forever, and we certainly believe – more than anyone – the power of prayer,” Donald Trump declared. “It’s the most powerful thing there is.”
According to CBN News, Trump also acknowledged the recent religiously-motivated attacks both in the United States and abroad.
“We mourn for the Christians murdered in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday and grieve for the Muslims murdered at their mosques in New Zealand,” he added. “Here at home, we also remember the three historically black churches burned recently in Louisiana and the horrific shooting last year at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.”
Wednesday’s event is the kick off to the National Day of Prayer, which lands on the first Thursday of May each year according to a law passed by Congress in 1988.
Last week, Mr. Trump issued a presidential proclamation in honor of the event, writing: “On this National Day of Prayer, Americans once again come together to give thanks to Almighty God for the bountiful blessings He has bestowed on our great Nation and ask for His unfailing counsel. We acknowledge our dependence on God’s love to guide our families, communities, and our country away from harm and toward abundance and peace.”
“Our Nation’s honored tradition of prayer has sustained us and strengthened our trust that God will continue to watch over and accompany us through the best of times and the darkest hours. May we as Americans never forget the power of prayer and the greatness of our Creator. On this National Day of Prayer, let each of us, according to our own faiths, call upon God for His guidance and express our gratitude for the love and grace He bestows on our country,” the proclamation read.
