DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday encouraged Iowans to pray for others impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
On Wednesday, she signed a proclamation making Thursday, April 9, a “Day of Prayer” in Iowa.
“Prayer has always been a big part of who I am. But I have to tell you never has it been as important or as powerful for me, as it is today in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic,” Reynolds said during prerecorded remarks for the Iowa Prayer Breakfast. The Iowa Prayer Breakfast held its program entirely online for the first time due to the COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings.
Citing the Iowa Prayer Breakfast’s mission statement, Reynolds said, “Thank you for finding a way in these very challenging times to keep this event doing what it has done now for nearly six decades, ‘glorifying Jesus Christ through the public affirmation of His sovereignty over our state and our nation.’ I want to thank each and every one of you who have kept me my family and our nation’s leaders, in your prayers, and in your hearts, from text messages to emails and phone calls. I get so many notes from Iowans every day, letting me know that they’re praying for me. Your prayers keep me going and give me strength, especially during these times when the decisions I make are affecting people’s lives and livelihoods.”
Reynolds said Isaiah 41:10 is a verse that gives her comfort and confidence, it reads, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” (ESV).
She encouraged Iowans to let their faith be their guide.
“Pray for your neighbor, pray for all in need of aid, and those on the frontlines delivering it,” Reynolds said.
She then read the proclamation.
At the end of her press conference on Thursday morning, Reynolds again encouraged Iowans to pray.
“I am asking all Iowans to join together in a day of prayer for protection, healing, grace, and peace. This has been a challenging time for all of us. But with God’s grace, there is always a promise of hope,” she said.
“Today, I will be praying for you and your families for health care workers, our first responders, our essential workforce, including those in manufacturing, food production, transportation, and our grocery store workers for keeping our supply chain up and running and for the strength of our state. So God bless each and every one of you. God bless this great state of Iowa, and I promise you if you keep doing what we’ve asked you to do. We are going to get through this together,” Reynolds concluded.
