We Pray Mercy Upon Our Land: Four Highlights From the Historic Rededicate 250 Gathering on the National Mall

Thousands Pray, Worship, and Repent on the 250th Anniversary of America's Founding Day of Prayer as Trump Administration Officials Join Faith Leaders

The Rededicate 250 gathering on the National Mall in Washington, DC on 17 May 2026 drew thousands of American Christians for a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. The event commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress's declaration of "a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer" before American independence.

The day was framed as "rededicating the United States as One Nation Under God," with President Donald Trump and other senior administration officials joining 19 faith leaders.

Rededicate 250 Highlights: Prayer, Worship, Repentance, and a National Vision

Four highlights stood out from the day.

First, the opening call to humble repentance framed by Pastor Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Second, the explicit invocation of the nation's Judeo Christian heritage through readings from the founding period. Third, the participation of Cissie Graham Lynch and Franklin Graham, representing the legacy of Billy Graham's ministry.

Fourth, the prayer led by Eric Metaxas of the White House Religious Liberty Commission, calling for mercy on the land.

The event coincided with the National Day of Prayer proclamation issued by the White House, which declared that "faith in God is resurging on American shores like never before." Critics framed Rededicate 250 as Christian nationalism. Organisers responded that rededication is a return to the founding values that built the republic.

The Crusader's Opinion

America was born in prayer. The Second Continental Congress declared a national day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer before declaring independence. Two and a half centuries later, thousands of Christians gathered in front of the Capitol to do exactly the same thing. The legacy press will write it off as Christian nationalism. The believers who stood in the rain know better. Revival begins with repentance. Repentance begins with prayer. Rededicate 250 was the visible sign of a movement that is already happening in homes and parishes across America. Watch what God does next.

Take Action

• Watch: The Rededicate 250 archive at Museum of the Bible
• Pray: The Second Continental Congress prayer of 1775 with your family
• Donate: Faith Wins, Christians Engaged, and other Rededicate 250 partner organisations
• Read: The full White House National Day of Prayer proclamation
• Share: The "We pray mercy upon our land" theme with sceptical friends