President Uhuru Declares National Prayer Day Over Coronavirus

A photo of President Uhuru Kenyatta issuing an address at Harambee House on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta issuing an address at Harambee House on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for a National Prayer day after the country confirmed the fourth Coronavirus case.

In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the head of state acknowledged that the world today was facing a serious threat following the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic that is affecting all peoples, all countries and institutions across the globe.

Uhuru announced that the prayer day would be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

President Uhuru Kenyatta issues a statement announcing a national prayer day over the Coronavirus at the State House Nairobi, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta issues a statement announcing a National Prayer Day over Coronavirus at State House Nairobi, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
PSCU

"With this in mind and after consulting a cross-section of ordinary Kenyans as well as our religious leaders, I have decided to declare this coming Saturday, 21st March 2020, as a National Day for Prayer.

"In consideration of the protocols that we announced on Sunday and other ongoing protocols that will be announced from time to time, I have thought it necessary that this day of prayer be observed in our homes, in our places of work or wherever we shall be residing on that day.

"This prayer day will be led by a team of religious leaders here at State House, Nairobi starting at 12.00 noon on Saturday," he announced.

Uhuru urged Kenyans to turn to God, stating that In these circumstances as the country has done in the past and give thanks for the many blessings that He has bestowed on our nation. He urged that members of the public turn to God and share their fears, apprehensions, but also to seek his guidance and ever-present protection.

He appealed to media houses to broadcast the event live on all television stations, radio stations and online platforms so as to facilitate national participation.

"We acknowledge always that we are nothing without our God. And we have learnt over time that turning to God in such times gives us not only comfort but also hope and strength to overcome even those challenges that for us as humans may seem insurmountable," President Kenyatta stated.

"On that day, through our religious leaders, we will be asking God for His forgiveness for anything that we may have done wrong or wronged Him, 

"On that day, we shall together ask for His protection and blessing for our Nation, for our people, for the world and all global citizens. We shall ask God to abide with us and to guide us, both in this period and in times to come," he added.

President Kenyatta urged Kenyans to join hands together on March 21 in praying for the country. He urged that they pray for unity.

The head of state urged for a prayer to see the Coronavirus pandemic resolved and a pledge to love one another, to live in peace and harmony with each other and that the world will once again refocus itself on those things that are good, on those things that are virtuous, on those things that are peaceful.

"And in this, I am guided by the following scripture and I will quote from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians as read in the book of Philippians 4: 6 – 9, “Do not worry about anything instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then, you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can ever understand. His peace will guide your hearts, your minds as you live in Christ Jesus,

"He goes on to say: “And now dear brothers and sisters, one final word, fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable, and what is right and pure, and what is lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting in practice all you have learnt and received from me, everything you have heard and saw me doing then the God of peace will be with you," President Kenyatta concluded.