News anchor asks TD Jakes to pray to God live on air for help with coronavirus pandemic

Megachurch pastor T D Jakes was asked to pray for the coronavirus pandemic during an appearance on MSNBC Live.

The Potter's House pastor spoke to "Today" show host Craig Melvin earlier this week from his home in Dallas. 

During the segment, Melvin admitted he had "never done this on the air" as he invited Jakes to lead viewers in prayer "for folks who weren't able to get to church yesterday". 

Jakes obliged, asking God for strength, help and peace. 

"Our Father and our God, we bow our heads to you in humility, understanding that we are not competent in and of ourselves to handle this kind of global calamity," he said. 

As he said this, Melvin bowed his head and closed his eyes as he listened along.

Jakes continued: "We look to you, Lord, to be the source, the strength, the help, the light that we need, strengthen our first responders, strengthen even our broadcast people, strengthen all of us whose lives have been devastated and disrupted and give us the peace that passes all understanding.

"In Christ's name we pray, amen."

Melvin, who is a Christian, was back on air at the left-leaning news network after spending nearly two weeks in self-isolation after one of the "Today" programme's staffers tested positive for coronavirus. 

The Potter's House is one of many churches across the US to have closed its doors because of the coronavirus outbreak. 

The US has become the global epicentre of the pandemic, with over 216,000 cases. The death toll surpassed 5,000 on Wednesday, as it was confirmed that a six-week-old baby had become one of the latest victims.