Vice President Mike Pence has revealed that President Donald Trump consistently asks cabinet members to start meetings at the White House with prayer.
In an interview published by CBN News on Thursday, Pence spoke about the new executive order that would set up a new faith-based office that would give recommendations on programs in which the government can partner with religious organizations.
A document posted on the official website of the White House explained that the new office was aimed at ensuring that faith-based groups "have strong advocates" in the government.
Trump signed the order in front of cabinet members and faith leaders at the White House Rose Garden on the National Day of Prayer, which took place on May 3 this year.
"This is really about making sure that as we develop policies for the country, that we are always making room for those inalienable rights, the free exercise of religion that Americans cherish," the vice president told CBN News.
The order creates the new position of adviser to the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. The office will have designated liaisons from executive departments and federal agencies and will be supported by community and faith leaders, according to the Catholic Register.
The signing of the document was reportedly preceded by several prayers, including one led by Pence. He told the crowd at the Rose Garden that supporters often approach him and the President just to tell them, "We're praying for you."
Pence revealed in the interview that meetings at the White House often start with a prayer at the President's request.
"There's prayer going on on a regular basis in this White House," he told CBN News. "And it's one of the most meaningful things to me, whether it's public meetings or not, I've lost count of the number of times that the president has nudged me, or nudged another member of the Cabinet, and said, 'Let's start this meeting with prayer,'" he added.
During the ceremony, Pence told the crowd at the Rose Garden that "believers of every background have a champion in President Trump" and reminded them of an executive order signed by the President last year that was aimed at protecting people of faith from being punished for their beliefs.
Trump told the faith leaders that the new office was necessary in solving the nation's problems because "faith is more powerful than government and nothing is more powerful than God," the Catholic Register reported.
