Gov. Mike Dunleavy offered prayers for the protection and deliverance of Alaska from what he called the “invisible menace” of the coronavirus.
His April 10 live-streamed Day of Prayer and Hope included more than 30 pastors and religious leaders from across Alaska – each offering short pre-recorded prayers which were shown in a montage towards the end of the 30 minute digitally broadcast event.
The state’s spiritual leaders prayed for fellow Alaskans, the governor and political leaders, as well as medical professionals fighting a pandemic that has created physical separation in nearly all sectors of social life, including religious services and prayer.
Dunleavy began by proclaiming April 10 as a day of prayer and hope for Alaskans. He then offered a personal prayer, asking God to provide wisdom, guidance and protection.
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“We ask that you protect the many Alaskans suffering during this time of historic social disruption,” Dunleavy said. “Most importantly we pray for your watchful protection over our most vulnerable – the elderly, the homeless, those fighting physical afflictions. Keep them shielded in these trying times.”
He asked God to “bring peace to each Alaskan whose world has been turned upside down. Console the child who can no longer feel the embrace of a grandparent. Comfort the many families that find themselves lonely and apart – separated by vast distances and insurmountable barriers.”
Franklin Graham, whose Samaritan’s Purse organization donated a planeload of medical supplies for rural Alaskans earlier in the week, prayed via video that God would watch over and strengthen all Alaskans.
“And Father as coronavirus comes, we pray that you will take us through this storm,” Graham said. “Father that we will be able to pass through it safely.”
A video with dozens of pastors and clergy offering prayers followed.
Tens of thousands of Alaskans watched the event, which has received more than 1,500 thousand likes on Facebook, nearly 2,000 thousand comments and 30,000 views.
TRANSCRIPT OF GOV. DUNLEAVY’S PRAYER
“Holy Father, throughout history, we your people have sought your protection, your comfort and your grace. We now once again call upon you, our Lord, our God. Protect those in harm’s way as they steadfastly care for our friends and neighbors in hospitals across our great state.
Give our doctors, nurses and medical professionals courage as they wage war with an enemy we cannot see. Watch over our brave first responders as they enter our homes to seek out the sick and carry them to safety. Protect our essential state and municipal workers as they report to their posts and carry on the important work of government in the face of this invisible menace. As we confront our own fragility, we offer our thanks to all who defend our way of life and maintain the functions of our society.
Give us the tolerance, patience and compassion necessary to face the challenges before us. Amen.”
We ask that you protect the many Alaskans suffering during this time of historic social disruption – the thousands of Alaskans who have lost their jobs, the many private businesses that have had to close their doors. We pray for a speedy end to this pandemic and an end to the economic suffering of our fellow Alaskans.
Most importantly we pray for your watchful protection over our most vulnerable – the elderly, the homeless, those fighting physical afflictions. Keep them shielded in these trying times. I pray that you bring peace to each Alaskan whose world has been turned upside down. Console the child who can no longer feel the embrace of a grandparent. Comfort that many families that find themselves lonely and apart – separated by vast distances and insurmountable barriers.
For our elected leaders I pray for the strength to set aside politics and lend a united hand to those entrusted to our care. For the many scientists and researchers – our greatest minds working around the clock – I pray for the wisdom required to end this pestilence.
In your name Lord, I pray that you grant your humble servants that strength to persevere. Give us the tolerance, patience and compassion necessary to face the challenges before us. Amen.”
GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION
April 10, 2020
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization first designated the outbreak of COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020 and went on to declare the exponential growth and occurrence of the virus as a pandemic on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Alaska’s healthcare workers are on the front lines, tirelessly guarding the many who are falling victim to this viral assault, strategically fighting this disease and continuing to provide exceptional treatment for all the other medical frailties to which we, as human beings, are subject to; and
WHEREAS, prayer sustains and comforts all through times of hardship and crisis; providing an avenue of hope paved with strength, faith, and spiritual light;
WHEREAS, prayer is a powerful tool that has been utilized throughout history, to guide, unify, and uplift; providing inspiration and internal strength to persevere and overcome in the face of crisis and calamity;
WHEREAS, Alaskans, as Americans, are afforded the right of individual and organized prayer, affirming our spiritual freedom and the principles upon which our nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, we pray for our first responders, law enforcement personnel, fire professionals, healthcare workers, teachers and educators, essential workforce employees, transportation experts, store clerks, small business owners, daycare providers, hairdressers and barbers, estheticians, physical therapists, masseuses, all those who have become unemployed, underemployed, or ill as a result of COVID-19, neighbors, friends, families, and state and local government leaders; and
WHEREAS, embracing hope, showing gratitude, and being thankful for the many blessings we receive daily form the foundation to surviving critical times.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim April 10 as:
Alaska’s Day of Prayer and Hope and encourage all Alaskans to offer their heartfelt prayers for their fellow citizens, throughout the state and nation, who are struggling with the tribulations caused by this debilitating pandemic. We collectively pray for the continued safety and well-being of all our fellow citizens, those across America and the entire world and give thanks that we will prevail because of the sacrifice and heroism of those who are on the frontlines of our war on COVID-19.
