MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey's office defended having a prayer at a news conference where she announced a statewide stay-at-home order in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent Governor Ivey a letter Monday objecting to the use of her office to promote Christianity with the prayer.

The FFRF's letter says the Governor's actions in calling on Reverend Cromwell Handy “to lead a prayer to God Almighty asking for his blessings" and the formal prayer ending in Jesus name amounted to an endorsement of religion, specifically Christianity.

"The governor has never shied away from her faith, and whether you are a person of faith or not, everyone is given the right of freedom of religion or freedom of speech under the first amendment.," said Governor Ivey's Press Secretary Gina Maiola. "She believes that faith and hope is never needed more than now in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The FFRF's letter went on "the decision to preach and to invite a reverend to pray as part of a state press conference sends an unfortunate official message of endorsement of religion over non-religion by the highest executive office in the state—a message that inevitably excludes many of your constituents and has a proselytizing intent. "

View the full letter here:

The Governor's office acknowledged receiving the letter on Tuesday, the same day she announced her "Ribbons of Hope" campaign during a ceremony at the Alabama State Capitol.

A news release from the Governor's Office said "Tying ribbons around a tree, mailbox or fixture in a front yard will be called “Ribbons of Hope” and will symbolize faith, hope, love and prayer. During these unprecedented times, Governor Ivey hopes these simple gestures will create unity among us and become a beacon of encouragement for everyone who sees them."

"These ribbons will serve as a reminder to the people of our state that we are lifting each other in prayer, and that just like after the great flood in Genesis, we are mindful of the hope and promise of God during this pandemic,” said Ivey in the news release.

The governor was joined by First Baptist Church of Montgomery Pastor Jay Wolf, 89.1 FM Faith Director of Ministry Relations Billy Irvin, Hutchinson Street Missionary Baptist Pastor Courtney Meadows, Alabama Baptist Convention Hispanic Ministries Coordinator Anel Robiyana, His Vessel Ministry Minister Jo Hancock, Former Pastor at Frazer United Methodist Church John Ed Mathison, as well as First Baptist Montgomery Lay Leader Soo Seok Yang.