Coronavirus prompts prayers on the roof of Modesto’s tallest building
About a dozen people stood on the roof of the 15-story DoubleTree Hotel to pray for Modesto-area residents affected by the coronavirus.
The Tuesday afternoon service featured people from six local churches, granted permission to visit by the hotel management. They stayed at least six feet apart, as advised by health experts to reduce transmission of the virus.
Organizer Robert Bazan of The House Modesto said he thought this moment in time required prayer from the highest point in town.
“So we realize that we’ve got to stand and be the light today,” he said.
The roof of the L Street tower offered a panoramic view of a city partially shut down by the state’s stay-home order.
“Many people, heavenly father, are experiencing a sense of isolation from you and from those around us,” said Dionicio Gomez Vargas of Valley View Christian Church of the Nazarene.
The roof has a 4-foot-tall barrier around its edges that kept the visitors safe. Several speakers spoke of their faith in God, and Hilda Macias of The House sang a Spanish hymn called “El Alfarero.”
The service ended with the group stringing a red ribbon on the supports for the hotel’s satellite dishes, representing the blood of Jesus Christ.
The other churches taking part were Victory Outreach Modesto, Star of David Community Church, Christian Worship Center and We Care Ministries.
They and all other places of worship are physically closed under the COVID-19 order. Many have turned to online services and other means of staying in touch remotely.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 5:04 PM.
