Amidst growing spiritual darkness, unprecedented murder, and political violence in America, the Trump White House has encouraged Americans to dedicate one hour a week to pray for the nation. The “America Prays” initiative, part of the “Salute to America 250 Task Force,” reminds Americans in the lead-up to the celebration of 250 years of American Independence that the nation was founded, and has been sustained, through prayer. 

President Donald Trump unveiled the initiative July 3, 2025 stating, “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 … So, as we chart our course for the next 250 years, let us rededicate ourselves to one nation under God.”

On September 8, at the Religious Liberty Commission hearing held at the Museum of the Bible, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner invited Americans to pray. Secretary Turner said, “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. Think about it. If a million of us every week got together and prayed for this great country, how many know that God is well able to do it?”

The America Prays Initiative invitation says:

The Ask: What if one million Americans dedicated one hour a week to praying for our country and our people?

The Invitation: Will you join with at least 10 people to meet each week for one hour to pray for America?

The Opportunity: As we celebrate 250 years of freedom, this is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the principles that gave birth to this land of liberty. As George Washington famously said in his Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.”

This dedicated time of prayer is not only for our nation, but for its people because a nation is only as strong as its citizens.

Resources and Ideas for Times of Prayer:

• Historic prayers, sermons, presidential proclamations, etc. View Here.
• Follow the common ACTS prayer model: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication.
• Open the prayer meeting with scripture about God’s sovereignty and nations (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 33:12, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)
• Organize the time of prayer by different subjects, such as prayer for government leaders, cultural renewal, protection of freedom, families, individuals, etc.
• Weekly Prayer Challenge: each member commits to pray daily for a specific issue or person
• Pray for individuals in your community by name
• Join online communities of prayer, such as Hallow, Pray.com, and many others 

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “We welcome President Trump’s call to weekly prayer for our nation as it approaches its 250th anniversary. Today, as we mourn the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, and remember all the lives lost 24 years ago on September 11, 2001, we must remember prayer is not a retreat, but a return… to the source of our refuge, our strength, and our moral clarity.

“Prayer has sustained America from its founding and serves as both a private devotion and as a public witness. We must continue the tradition of seeking spiritual renewal through prayer, in which our founders did as they penned the Declaration of Independence. And as Abraham Lincoln did in calling the nation to its knees in amidst the Civil War. And as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did as he led marches with prayer. Across American history, prayer has provided Americans comfort amid sorrow, hope amid struggle, and conviction amid compromise. This moment in our history demands no less.

“I encourage all Americans to answer this call to prayer with sincerity, humility, and courage. May America once again truly be a nation under God so we can face the days ahead together in strength and in unity,” said Staver.

At the Religious Liberty Commission hearing, President Trump said America’s strength depends on prayer and faith.

 “So, America has always been a nation that believes in the power of prayer, and we will never apologize for our faith… never. We will never surrender our God-given rights. We will defend our liberties, our values, our sovereignty, and we will defend our freedom,” said President Trump.

“America was founded on faith… And when faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker,” President Trump noted. “And under the Trump administration, we’re defending our rights and restoring our identity as a nation under God. We are one nation under God, and we always will be.”