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For the first time in history, a US President has called the nation to a national Sabbath. Join us in prayer for this momentous occasion.

Wow! Wonder of wonders! This event, the calling of the United States of America to a national Sabbath is an utterly unique and momentous occasion, the like of which we have not seen in our history.

Look around among the nations! What you see will completely astound you!
For what is going to be done in your days you will not believe, even when you are told.
– Habakkuk 1:5 (CJB)

Believers here in Australia have already been invited to pray for America through this Canberra Declaration article:

“Australia Calls the Nations to Pray for the USA at This Historic Time“.

President Trump has called America to rededicate itself as “One Nation Under God.”

In addition to this prayer initiative on 17^th May, we now see President Trump specifically call for a national Sabbath for the Jewish community in the United States.  This is a great opportunity for the Jewish community to come together in solidarity and honour this special national Sabbath in unity, which will honour the God of all creation while visibly displaying humility before God and man.

To the Jewish people, the Sabbath is really important. The Sabbath was instituted by God:

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made;
and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.
— Genesis 2:2 (KJV)

The Hebrew word sabbath or shabbat, שַׁבָּת means to repose or desist from exertion.  It is a day of holiness and rest which the Jewish people observe from sunset on Friday evening to nightfall Saturday.  It is a sacred moment where Jews have united in this practice for millennia.  For them, it is a special reminder of their perpetual covenant with God.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
— Exodus 20:8 (KJV)

A Presidential Invitation

President Donald Trump has called on Jewish Americans to observe a national Sabbath — from sunset, Friday, 15^th May, to nightfall, Saturday, 16th May. Here in Australia, I read via J-wire that the Israeli chief rabbi urges leaders to back Trump’s Shabbat call as well.

In over 3,300 years of Jewish history, no head of state has ever officially recognised Sabbath in this way and called on Jews across an entire nation to keep it. This event has never been done before quite like this.

The national Sabbath that President Trump has called for is a request that every Jew keep this one Sabbath together in unity.

Chief Rabbi Goldstein of The Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa initiated “The Sabbath Project”, and it seems possible that from this concept, President Trump has issued a call for a great Sabbath event on 16^th May — a Sabbath of faith, freedom, family, and reflection. President Trump is making this national Sabbath proclamation, and it is an historic moment.

No other nation has held this kind of Sabbath to honour the contributions of the Jewish people. Today, we see how the Jews have contributed to the development of the nation of America.  The monumental significance of this event has not been seen on such a scale since the Sabbath became a law at Mt Sinai with the giving of the Ten Commandments.  Many have come to understand that the prosperity of the United States, its wealth and power, comes with a firm grounding of values from the Hebrew bible.

These biblical values were written into the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago and include that all men are created equal and endowed by the Creator with inalienable rights. Genesis declares that man is made in the image of God, which is the foundation of human dignity.

This Sabbath moment echoes the statement “In God we trust”, for it is only by having this undergirding value that America and mankind can rise to their full potential. In this observation of the Sabbath – the Jewish community is declaring the greatness of God above all that mankind can achieve.

No nation is perfect, but the United States under God has brought about significant and outstanding achievements by men. Through these special moments of prayer and rest, America is assuming a posture of giving honour and thanks to the Creator. In this national Sabbath, she is declaring her loyalty to God and His values.

This is not about politics but about the realigning of the nation of America to be in one accord with the purposes of God.  What better way than to honour the God of the bible, His people Israel, and the importance that the Sabbath holds in this community because it is part of their covenant with the God of the universe.

Looking Back

Three-and-a-half months before approving the Declaration of Independence, lawmakers agreed to Livingston’s bill setting aside 17 May 1776 for a day of prayer and reflection.

Americans were called to come together “with united hearts” and abstain from food and work, and to take into consideration what the cause for independence really meant.  They were coming together to publicly acknowledge the overruling providence of God.

Refocussing on Prayer in 2026

From 1776 to the present time is 250 years. In the Bible, 50 is symbolic of Jubilee. There was a time in Israel when every 50 years, property would revert to its original owner, and slaves would be released. Even some debts were forgiven.

However, today the timings and conditions are not right for a formal Jubilee according to the scriptural prescription. We are not just seeing a Jubilee of 50 years, but the equivalent of 5 Jubilees – 250 years.

In biblical symbolism, 5 is the number for grace, and 50 is the number for completeness and fulness similar to the Jubilee year. This event holds strong prophetic meaning for those who understand how the Lord speaks through His special times and seasons.

The White House, Washington, released this proclamation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 2026 as a Year of Celebration and Rededication.

This time of the nation’s rededication to God is echoing the previous call at the time of the Second Continental Congress, before the declaration of independence. There was a special day where it was ordered to be a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer,” petitioning God “to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions” and to “establish the peace and freedom of America, upon a solid and lasting foundation.”

From America’s humble beginnings, she has risen to amazing global prominence. These achievements inspire every new generation of American citizens to reach further and aim higher.

A Deeper Meaning

This honouring of the Sabbath by the Jews of America and beyond is of vital significance because by honouring the Sabbath, Father’s Beloved Chosen People are really honouring the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who is the true foundation of all that is good in the world.

I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
— Genesis 12:3 (KJV)

By this national keeping of the Sabbath by America’s Jews, she is in fact going back to the ancient wells of Abraham’s day.  In the book of Genesis, it talks about how Isaac dug again the wells of water from his father’s time, and so it is today with this Sabbath event drawing forth something like the water of life for the wellbeing of the nation.

And Isaac dug again the wells of water…
— Genesis 26:18 (KJV)

Our Invitation to Pray

Please view this informative video which Warwick Marsh of the Canberra Declaration has released.

By joining in with the USA72AusPray — 72 Hours of Prayer & Worship for America / 15^th – 18^th May 2026, we have an opportunity to unite our hearts with those of the people of America and especially the Jewish community, to come together in worship, praise, and thanksgiving, as is stated in Hebrews 13:15.

You are warmly invited to join with other believers, both here in Australia and in the United States, to become a part of this strategic time of prayer and seeking the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who alone has the power to bless nations and individuals.

With prayer, with unity, with a singular focus – we can make a difference by sowing into this historic initiative, and I believe we will see something shift not only over the United States but here in our nation of Australia and beyond.

The people who really rule the world are those who know how to pray.
— Derek Prince

Prayer Points and Purpose for USA72AusPray

1. To release a great offering of worship, praise and thanksgiving to God (Hebrews 13:15).
2. That the global Church would be filled with extravagant love for God and a passion to reach the lost (2 Corinthians 5:14–15).
3. Revival, repentance and reformation for America and tens of millions to find Christ (Acts 2:1–47).
4. Revival, repentance and reformation for Australia (or your nation of origin) and millions to find Christ (2 Chronicles 7:14).
5. For each believer to pray for five people to trust in Christ and to share the Gospel with those five in May (Matthew 28:19–20).

We believe that this amazing time of National Rededication to God in the USA is an answer to the last 14 years of our prayers, the world’s prayers, and America’s prayers as well. Jesus himself said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Soli Deo Gloria!

As Australians, we are privileged to issue this call to stand with Christians in the USA and pray for the spiritual awakening of both countries. Let us seek God’s face for the spread of the gospel across our respective nations — and the entire globe.

INVITE: 72 Hours of Prayer for the USA

TIME & DATE: Midday, Friday, 15 May, to midday, Monday, 18 May (AEST)

WHERE: On Zoom

REGISTRATION: via the link below

To register, and for more information about this call to prayer, as well as free downloadable, shareable and printable posters, please click here:

[REGISTER & MORE INFO: PRAY FOR USA]

Please share this invitation widely.

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.