Trump calls for National Day of Prayer amid coronavirus pandemic

President Donald Trump declared a National Day of Prayer on Sunday amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Plans for the decision were announced Friday not long after the president declared a national emergency due to the viral outbreak.

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

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

The declaration was immediately met with a slew of reactions ranging from general support to outrage and castigation.

Supporters of the president praised the decision, arguing that prayer was exactly what the country needed.

“Thank you President Trump for leading our nation to PRAY,” Twitter user @Hoosiers1986 wrote. “We need God now more than EVER. God Bless you, Mr. President, & God Bless America.”

Thank you President Trump for leading our nation to PRAY. We need God now more than EVER.

God Bless you, Mr. President, & God Bless America. 🙏🇺🇸🙏 — Bradley Scott 🙏🇺🇸 (@Hoosiers1986) March 14, 2020

Thank you Jesus for a President who is not afraid to call upon the name of the Lord in time of need. — Melissa A. (@TheRightMelissa) March 13, 2020

We will weather the storm together. We love you President Trump and thank you for all you’ve done and all you continue to do!

I am humbled and honored to call you my president! — LORI HENDRY TEXT TRUMP TO 88022 (@Lrihendry) March 13, 2020

Many others, however, were less than enthused by the directive.

“Typically we look to science in times like these but you fired all those guys,” Twitter user @briantylercohen wrote.

Typically we look to science in times like these but you fired all those guys. — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) March 13, 2020

I’m atheist. How about we get competent leader and universal healthcare instead. — ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) March 14, 2020

In times like these we should look to science not religion. #CoronaApocalypse — Ryan Knight 🌹🌅 (@ProudResister) March 14, 2020

But many questioned why the president would announce a National Day of Prayer as opposed to, you know, something for combating the outbreak.

“How about a national day of f*cking testing people for coronavirus,” Twitter user @garywhitta wrote.

how about a national day of fucking testing people for coronavirus https://t.co/l1p3bokZhs — Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) March 14, 2020

IT SHOULD BE A NATIONAL DAY OF STAY THE HELL HOME! https://t.co/bklJMZPLzH — Jeremy Dickey (@JeremyDDickey) March 15, 2020

How about a national day of stay the fuck home too https://t.co/GKt92JsyUS — frostygurl23 (@frostygurl23) March 15, 2020

Some noted that the announcement wasn’t too surprising given that the government usually responds to most issues with “thoughts and prayers.”

WE DON’T NEED THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

WE NEED SCIENCE AND SICK DAYS. https://t.co/RngAvhiIWU — Joe Poor (@Joe4Mo28) March 15, 2020

Really love that the U.S. government's response to a pandemic has essentially been the same as their response to any other day.

Thoughts and Prayers and Be Best for everyone else. — Rowdy ᴶ ᵘ ˡ ᵉ ˢ Peasant (@mrs_socialista) March 14, 2020

Despite the seriousness of the situation, many of the president’s supporters still feel the coronavirus has been overhyped.

Regardless, at least according to one Twitter user, being a Christian makes you immune to the virus anyway.

“I’m in church praying for you fear mongers!” Twitter user @red51259 wrote. “We born again Christians are covered by the blood of Jesus and any germ that touches me dies.”

I’m in church praying for you fear mongers! We born again Christians are covered by the blood of Jesus and any germ that touches me dies. — CoCo (@red51259) March 15, 2020