JIL prays for GMA’s success in drive against SARS

President Arroyo led a special prayer rally yesterday to ask for divine intervention to stop the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the country.

Jesus Is Lord Movement leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva celebrated the inter-faith gathering, held at the Malacañang Palace grounds.

The President, who said she is deeply religious, even composed a special "presidential prayer."

"I pray that You spare our people from the SARS plague and other diseases, and that You continually cover us with the redeeming blood of Jesus. We claim the healing grace of Jesus for our people, for You said that by his wounds, we would be healed," she said.

"I also would like to thank the Lord that because of this (SARS) accident, our country has become united. I, as President — as Bro. Eddie said, a Christian President — I leave to God the care of our people."

She told rally participants that her prayer is based on Psalm 44:12-15, which is "a beautiful summary of God’s program and vision for every nation, and surely for our beloved country."

Mrs. Arroyo also asked Filipinos offer prayers to help the country weather the SARS crisis.

"In the middle of these things, I pray to our Lord to enlighten our people so that our people would give their full cooperation wherever they are," she said.

At the rally, each government official also offered their respective prayers to "exorcise" SARS, which was "imported" from SARS-affected areas like Hong Kong and Canada, from the Philippines. Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, whom the President earlier designated as the country’s "anti-SARS czar," led the officials in saying their prayers.

Singer Dulce capped the rally by singing "Lord, Heal our Land."