President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, seen here just after the presidential debate Tuesday (Sept. 29), both tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday (Oct. 1). Screen capture from C-Span.
Christians around the country and the world have called for prayer in light of the news that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19.
Baptist Press received comments from a number of prominent Southern Baptists Oct. 2 regarding the development. Those comments are below:
“Jeana and I are highly concerned and deeply prayerful for President Trump and the First Lady. This is a very serious time for our nation and this news should serve as a wake-up call for all Americans to come together and pray for them. He is the President of the United States. I want to ask all of our churches and all of the churches across our nation to pray now, and on this coming Sunday together for President Trump, the First Lady, and all of their family to be healed from this virus and protected in every way.” – Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee
“I am saddened and concerned to hear that President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have contracted the COVID-19 virus. Clearly, this is a time for all Americans to pray for the health and recovery of our President and his wife and to pray for all Americans and others around the world who are threatened by this virus. If COVID-19 can get into the White House, it can get into any house. This is sobering news. I will be praying for the health and strength of our President and his family.” – R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“This is a time for healing. For our nation and our nation’s leader President Trump and our First Lady Melania. I know the president is always very grateful for the prayers of God’s people and especially now in view of this illness. I am confident he will recover quickly and continue to lead our nation well. May God bless our country and heal our land.” – Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas
“Let’s all take a moment to pray for the President and First Lady this morning – for protection and a speedy recovery. This is a frightening time for our country, for the First Family, and many others grappling with this virus across the country. As Christians, moments like this should prompt us to pray for God’s intervention in this time of global pandemic.” – Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
“My prayers are with the President and First Lady this morning. As Christians, we always pray for those in authority, but here, we can pray with specificity that God would heal from this frightening virus and protect those around them from it as well. I’m praying also for the doctors treating the First Family and the medical professionals battling this virus around the world – both those treating it and those trying to bring it to a swift end. May God give us mercy in this perilous time,” – Daniel Patterson, executive vice president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Social media reactions
Many leaders expressed their thoughts for the President and first lady via Twitter. Some of those remarks are below:
“Please join me in praying for the speedy and full recovery of our President and First Lady.” – J.D. Greear, Southern Baptist Convention president and pastor of The Summit Church
“Praying for our president and his wife for their health and healing during this time.” – Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Dear God, please touch @POTUS & @FLOTUS with your healing grace, guiding the hands of all of the medical professionals treating them. Give them a speedy recovery. I thank You that You made them so strong. God, do the same for every person in the world facing the same. Amen.” – Prayer by Rev. Johnnie Moore, retweeted by GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins
“Let’s commit to pray for a speedy recovery for our president and first lady, and for protection for those serving them.” – Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Early this morning, President @realDonaldTrump and First Lady @MelaniaTrump announced that, like many other Americans, they have tested positive for the coronavirus. Please join me in praying especially for them, that they would have a quick recovery.” – Franklin Graham, evangelist and president of Samaritan’s Purse
Compiled by Baptist Press staff writer Tess Schoonhoven.