With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States at more than 62,000, President Trump, Vice President Pence and members of the coronavirus task force are working long hours to try to curb the spread.

As the number of cases continues to rise, Franklin Graham has urged Christians via Facebook to pray for our government leaders.

“Our lawmakers in Washington need prayer today—that they would be able to work together, and that they would look to God for wisdom and direction in this critical time for our nation. They need to set aside any and all political agendas and partisanship and come together on steps our nation needs to take. Instead of yelling and backbiting, we need prayer and teamwork. Many hurting Americans do need and will need help. I don’t know the details of the economic stimulus they are debating, but I do know that we also need a spiritual stimulus. We need to re-focus on God, heed His Word, and put Him first. The Word of God reminds us that, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.’”

Amid the hectic pace, the president has made it clear that the work of churches and the prayers of Christians are vital for this moment.

According to Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, which held a conference call with 700 pastors on March 20, President Trump asked to join in alongside Vice President Mike Pence when he learned of it.

“Hearing his voice was a surprise, even to me—but hearing his earnest desire to stand with the faith leaders of America in crisis certainly wasn’t,” Perkins said.

“Turning to the pastors—the hundreds on the call and the 15,000 who heard it later on—the president said sincerely, ‘I want to thank you for praying for our country and for those who are sick. You do such an incredible job. You’re very inspirational people. And I’m with you all the way.’”

Before the president left the call, Tony Perkins asked him what he’d most like people to be praying for. The president replied: “The health of our country and the strength of our country. We were doing something amazing, and then one day, it just ended. So that would be it.”

Above: President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Briefing Room, Monday, March 23, 2020, in Washington, as Vice President Mike Pence listens.

Photo: AP Photo/Alex Brandon