While the Trump administration is working around-the-clock to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus among the American people, our nation’s leaders acknowledge the power of prayer during this time of crisis.

“The chorus of prayers that is coming up from communities of faith around the country is making the difference that it always has in the life of this nation,” said Vice President Mike Pence at a White House press briefing Saturday.

President Trump and Vice President Pence indicated they had spoken with several of the country’s religious leaders on Friday following the closure of many church buildings across the United States.

“We want to thank all the religious leaders from every community of faith in the country,” Pence said, “[for] making the hard choice to suspend services [and] have online services even while those ministries are continuing to support food banks and come alongside of the most vulnerable.”

Franklin Graham encouraged Christians to turn to the Lord amid this global pandemic: “Some churches are not meeting in person for worship … to avoid possibly spreading the virus. But that doesn’t prevent us as the Body of Christ from coming before the Lord, kneeling in prayer and pouring our hearts out to Him.”

“The virus isn’t the only thing that’s contagious,” he added. “What if we had an outbreak of people helping people and a sweeping eruption of prayer?”

Although most on-site worship services have been canceled, Pence urged churchgoers to continue investing in their church’s ongoing mission and ministry through tithes and donations.

“One thing the president and I promised was to remind people that on the weekends that you’re not in the pews … it’s still a good idea to, if you can, go ahead and make that donation,” he said, “because all the ministries are continuing to play a vital role in our communities and we encourage your continued support.”