Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joined political and religious leaders at the White House on Thursday morning, May 2, for the National Day of Prayer. As part of the event, Sister Jones offered a prayer.
During the morning ceremony, held in the Rose Garden, Sister Jones prayed for “those in uniform” and their families and government, civic and religious leaders in the United States of America. “Grant them the strength to shepherd their flocks in Thy word,” she prayed for the religious leaders.
“Inspire our citizenry. Strengthen the families and communities of the United States of America.
“Please help us to unite as one nation under God.”
This is the second year in a row that a general leader of the Church has been invited to participate in the annual interfaith event. It was just one year ago that Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, offered a prayer on behalf of the Church.
In her prayer, Sister Jones said during the founding of the United States of America, “its leaders sought Thee. During war and peace, in prosperity and poverty, we pled for Thy providential care. And Thou hast continually answered our supplications in Godly wisdom.”
She thanked the Lord for freedoms. “We acknowledge our accountability to Thee, and to each other, for how we exercise those freedoms.”
She concluded, “Father, in these times of heightened complexities and opportunities, we plead for Thy continued guidance and forbearance. We commit to love with more righteousness, and to live with greater moral rectitude.”
In March of 1776, as the founders prepared to draft the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress asked everyone to join in a day of prayer and fasting for the cause of freedom, said U.S. President Donald Trump during the service. “Today we give thanks for this magnificent country and we proudly come together as one nation under God.”
U.S. President Trump issued a proclamation earlier this week designating May 2 as a National Day of Prayer.
“We condemn all hate and violence, particularly in our places of worship," he said. “I invite the citizens of our nation to pray, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, in thanksgiving for the freedoms and blessings we have received, and for God’s guidance and continued protection as we meet the challenges before us,” he said.
