On Good Friday, countless religions came together in prayer and fasting to help alleviate the suffering and spread of COVID-19.
President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had said, “I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10th, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened and life normalized,” he said.
In response to this plea, members of his church and a myriad of others committed to social media and challenged others to unite during this pandemic. The idea quickly popularized and Facebook groups were made with inspirational messages, commitments, and stories of positive experiences that came from the worldwide fast/prayer on April 10.
Denton County’s Precinct 3 Commissioner, Bobbie Mitchell said, “We need to come together as a community and support one another.” So, with the holiday and current events in mind, Denton County’s Commissioners Court unanimously declared Good Friday a Day of Prayer.
The proclamation says, “with our faith, family, friends and community, we will overcome this new threat.” It urges citizens to pray for and reflect on healthcare workers, first responders, those struggling with financial responsibilities, and those fighting the virus. One of the most notable parts of the proclamation is a request to reflect on the blessings in our lives- to strive for positivity in this time of uncertainty.
Judge Andy Eads, who signed the proclamation, said, “We are all experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime situation that has affected each of us – whether through illness, loss of jobs, business challenges or even mental anguish. Together, we can get through this.”
The whole proclamation can be found here.

Despite these tumultuous times, people worldwide and in our local community are uniting to find hope and protection.