Prayer is needed now more than ever, Vice President Pence tells First Baptist Dallas
First Baptist Dallas celebrated July 4th early on Sunday with a visit from Vice President Mike Pence, a salute to military veterans, American flags and patriotic music.
Pence talked about faith, prayer, the economy, Israel, the military and the 2020 election, all to frequent applause, at First Baptist Dallas’ “Celebrate Freedom Sunday.”
“This president and our administration celebrate freedom every day and defend it in every action,” Pence said.
The church auditorium was full Sunday morning, leading staff and secret service agents to send visitors to an overflow room. A majority of people appeared to be wearing masks, but social distancing was not generally practiced. None of the speakers wore masks, nor did the choir of more than 100 people who were not practicing social distancing.
The church did have seats and pews closed because of COVID-19, but close gatherings still happened.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, State Sen. Angela Paxton, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson also were in attendance.
The event kicked off with patriotic songs, the anthems of each military branch and the national anthem.
Carson told the gathering of more than 2,000 congregants that the nation needs to be thankful for a strong economy before the coronavirus pandemic caused a downturn, and that Christians need to stand up for what they believe. He said the U.S. will come out of the virus strong.
“We need to dominate the virus, not let the virus dominate us,” Carson said.
Pastor Robert Jeffress introduced Pence as a man of faith who asks Jeffress to pray with him and for him and as a man who fights for religious freedoms in America and abroad.
Then Pence came to the stage.
To boisterous applause, he recounted the accomplishments of the Donald Trump presidency, from removing regulatory red tape restricting businesses to investing millions into helping persecuted Christians around the world.
He said Trump has rebuilt the military, made it easier to start a small business in America and defended second amendment rights, pro-life beliefs and religious freedom in America.
Pence received standing ovations when he talked about the importance of law enforcement and then denounced the riots and looting that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“There’s no excuse for what happened to George Floyd and justice will be served,” Pence said. “There’s also no excuse for the rioting, looting and violence that ensued. Burning churches is not protests. Tearing down statues is not free speech.”
Pence said that while the U.S. has experienced an economic slump along with some violent protests, Christians have hope.
“In these times of great anxiety for many, the Bible tells us don’t be anxious about anything but in every form of prayer and petition ask for peace from God,” he said. “I believe more than ever that we stand in need of prayer.”
He said the country is still mourning the death of more than 125,000 Americans to COVID-19, and is concerned about those who are infected now. Pence said he believes prayer can do wonderful things for the country.
“If his people who are called by His name will humble themselves and pray, He will do as He has done for generations and heal His people and He will heal this land,” Pence said, partially quoting a bible verse.
He said he was happy to be back in church with First Baptist Dallas.
“I leave here today confident that God is at work. Even though it may not seem that way God is working,” Pence said. “Even when things don’t seem like they’re going the way we expected, they’re going the way God expected.”
Pence closed by telling the story of how he became a Christian at a contemporary Christian music concert in Tennessee. He said it changed his life, humbled him and made him stronger.
He said he is writing a letter to the man who led him to Christianity and he still cries as he recounts the story.