Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

President Trump has launched America Prays, calling on Americans to gather weekly in prayer, honour the nation’s Christian foundations, seek God’s guidance, and prepare spiritually for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

President Donald Trump has called on Americans to unite in prayer as the nation approaches its 250th birthday.

Launched Monday at Washington DC’s Museum of the Bible, the America Prays initiative encourages US citizens to dedicate one hour each week to pray for the country, its leaders, families, freedoms and future.

“Next year, we will celebrate 250 years since that Declaration was signed,” President Trump explained. “As part of the grand commemoration, we’ve invited America’s great faith communities to pray for our nation, for our people, and for peace in the world.”

President Trump is inviting Americans to PRAY 👏

“Next year, we will celebrate 250 years since that Declaration was signed. As part of the grand commemoration… we’ve invited America’s great faith communities to pray for our nation, for our people, and for peace in the world.” pic.twitter.com/tLVafyoFiT

— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) September 8, 2025

“President Trump has revived one of America’s most prominent and powerful founding principles — we are one nation under God,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said. “America is stronger with the power of prayer.”

The America Prays campaign asks participants, where possible, to join with at least ten others each week in collective prayer. The effort extends the faith-driven message of Trump’s America250 campaign, which he launched at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in July.

At that event, President Trump emphasised the historic role of faith in sustaining the United States, saying:

As we prepare to celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, I am inviting America’s great religious communities to pray for our nation and for our people. From the beginning, this has always been a country sustained and strengthened by prayer. If we bring religion back stronger, you’re going to see everything get better. So as we chart our course toward the next 250 years, let us rededicate ourselves to one nation under God.

Faith Leaders Endorse National Prayer

The initiative has drawn support from prominent Christian leaders and organisations. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, remarked, “Our greatest battles are fought on our knees, and through America Prays we can join together to ask God to guide and protect this land.”

Pastor Clint Pressley of the Southern Baptist Convention added that collective prayer represents “a public testimony that we depend on God for wisdom and strength.” CatholicVote also joined the effort, with President Kelsey Reinhardt highlighting the initiative’s alignment with bringing the Catholic faith into the public square.

Other faith-based partners include Pray.com, Hallow, the National Religious Broadcasters, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Samaritan’s Purse, CatholicVote, the Southern Baptist Convention, Intercessors for America, Let Us Worship, and dozens of churches and ministries nationwide.

The initiative reflects America’s deep Christian roots and echoes Founding Father and first President George Washington’s belief that “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Practical Steps for Participation

The White House has provided participants with suggested resources, including scriptural readings and intercessory prayers for churches and Christian leaders. Scriptures recommended for prayer include 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 33:12, and 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

A 22-page booklet titled Prayers and Proclamations Throughout American History has also been provided, which includes the Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving in 1621, the First Prayer in Congress in 1774, George Washington’s military orders and calls to prayer during the Revolutionary War, President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 call for a Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, and Billy Graham’s prayer at the 1969 Presidential Inauguration.

Organisers of America Prays hope that at least one million Americans will dedicate an hour weekly to prayer, fostering a spirit of unity and spiritual renewal across the country.

Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump, emphasised the potential impact:

What if 1 million people pray for our country every single week between now and next July 4? Think about the miracles that would take place over the next year. Think about the transformation that you and I could witness in communities all across the land: sons returning to their fathers, daughters returning to their mothers, families coming back together, health being restored, financial needs being met, mountains being moved.

Secretary Turner announces over 70 faith groups and churches are joining ‘America Prays’ ahead of our nation’s 250th birthday.

“Think about the miracles that would take place over the next year.” 🙏 pic.twitter.com/UgFrbmISsS

— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) September 8, 2025

Prayer and America’s National Identity

The America Prays initiative highlights the importance of faith in the United States’ founding and ongoing national identity.

President Trump has framed the campaign as a continuation of the principles that guided the nation’s birth and sustained it through the centuries. “This is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the principles that gave birth to this land of liberty,” the White House noted.

The campaign represents an effort to remind Americans that their nation’s strength flows not merely from its political or economic system, but from spiritual renewal and faithfulness to God.

During the Religious Liberty Commission hearing at the Museum of the Bible, Trump also reiterated his commitment to protecting religious freedom in public institutions, including schools. He concluded the event with a rendition of Amazing Grace.

Participants in America Prays are encouraged to continue this weekly practice through July 4, 2026, when the United States marks 250 years of independence.

___

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.