Thousands Gather to Rededicate America to God
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, thousands gathered on the National Mall Sunday for a historic moment of prayer, worship, repentance, and national reflection—rededicating both their hearts and the nation to God.
Exactly 250 years earlier, on May 17, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared a national day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer,” calling on the colonies to seek God’s guidance amid the growing conflict with Great Britain. General George Washington was leading the Continental Army, and before declaring independence from King George III, America’s founders paused to seek God’s wisdom and favor.
Now, on May 17, 2026, Americans gathered once again in the nation’s capital for Rededicate 250, an event organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership supported by the White House, to pray for the nation and recommit America to God as it enters its next chapter.
The day featured worship, prayer, short sermons, calls to repentance, and messages centered on spiritual renewal and national humility. Speakers included House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sadie Robertson Huff, author Eric Metaxas, Larry Arnn of Hillsdale College, Rev. Jonathan Falwell, Dr. Ben Carson, Lou Engle, and Dutch Sheets, who each led prayers and issued passionate appeals for repentance and God’s mercy over the nation. Jonathan Roumie, best known for portraying Jesus in the hit series The Chosen, spoke on the power of prayer.
“In America, we don’t wait for miracles—we get to work and let God work them through us,” said Dr. Ben Carson.
Video messages from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Pastor Paula White-Cain, Rev. Franklin Graham urged repentance and recommitment to Christ as individuals and collectively as a nation.
Bishop Robert Barron reflected on what he described as one of America’s defining paradoxes.
“Our Declaration of Independence,” Barron said, “was also a declaration of dependence”—a dependence on God. He emphasized that a spiritually vibrant nation is often a politically healthy one.
President Donald Trump addressed attendees via video message, sharing the Scripture from 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
VP J.D. Vance closed out the day with a video message on the power of prayer, and encouraging prayer for all people and asking for prayer from the American people.
Worship music, led by Chris Tomlin, Liberty University, and the choirs of Hillsdale College and Grand Canyon University, added to the day’s festivities.
Rededicate 250 may prove to be a defining moment in American history, as the President of the United States and his cabinet recognized the nation’s need to return to God in prayer and repentance, seeking His forgiveness and favor. As God answers the prayers of his people, one thing is certain: America is one nation under God, whether acknowledged or not – every knee will eventually bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
