As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, President Donald Trump has called Americans to an unprecedented commitment of prayer for the country and its citizens. The initiative, titled America Prays, invites the faithful to dedicate one hour each week to intercede for the nation’s leaders, families, and future.
“America’s always been a nation that believes in the power of prayer and we will never apologize for our faith,” Trump said during the announcement of the initiative at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., according to Catholic News Agency. “We will never surrender our God-given rights; we will defend our liberties, our values, our sovereignty, and we will defend our freedom.”
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The White House is encouraging Americans to gather in prayer groups of at least ten people, uniting in prayer for specific intentions such as government leaders, cultural renewal, protection of religious freedom, and strong families. Each participant is also encouraged to commit to daily personal prayer for one issue or person, turning private devotion into a national movement of faith.
Catholic groups, including Catholics for Catholics and CatholicVote, are among the more than 70 organizations that have pledged their participation. The White House has even published a 22-page resource, Prayers and Proclamations Throughout American History, which features historic prayers from figures like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner, who joined the announcement and offered a prayer for the nation, encouraged believers to see the potential of this initiative: “What if 1 million people pray for our country every single week between now and next July Fourth? … Think about the miracles that would take place over the next year,” he said, according to Catholic News Agency.
Turner led the audience in prayer, asking God to “rededicate America to ‘one nation under God’” and to bring “healing and revitalization” and “new life” to the country.
For Catholics, this initiative is a call to live out St. Paul’s exhortation: “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). As the nation approaches its semiquincentennial, America Prays is an opportunity to offer this intercession together, for the good of the country and for the glory of God.
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