“America has always been a nation that believes in the power of prayer, and we will NEVER apologize for our faith — ever,” President Trump said to a roaring crowd at the Museum of the Bible, addressing the White House Religious Liberty Commission.
Among many announcements regarding religious freedom, Trump revealed the “America Prays” initiative, calling on one million Americans to commit to praying for a return to God and the Bible as the country celebrates the forthcoming 250th “Super Centennial.”
“Next year, we will celebrate 250 years since [the] Declaration was signed,” Trump stated. “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.”
The campaign, sporting a new White House landing page, provides original-source documents illustrating America’s Christian heritage and details how prayer and a reliance on divine providence have shaped the nation.
A 22-page historical education guide titled “Prayers and Proclamations Throughout American History” provides powerful examples of the Christian religion being the crux of the American story, beginning with the prayer dedication of the 1607 Cape Henry Landing in Jamestown and ending with prayer services that took place during the aftermath of 9/11. The White House is calling for Americans to study the nation’s spiritual roots and return to them.
Calling the Nation to Prayer
“America Prays” also calls citizens to organize prayer meetings, discuss “scripture about God’s sovereignty and nations,” and pray for individuals and leaders in communities by name.
“Think about the miracles that would take place over the next year … the transformation that you and I could witness in communities all across the land … if a million of us every week got together and prayed for this great country,” Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner articulated. “We are a nation that has always believed in the power of prayer.”
So far, 70 faith organizations and churches have joined together to participate in “America Prays,” including the Southern Baptist Convention, CatholicVote, and Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse.
Protecting Prayer in Public Schools
President Trump said that he has directed the Department of Education to issue new guidance to protect and promote prayer in schools across the nation.
“For most of our country’s history, the Bible was found in every classroom in the nation, yet in many schools today students are instead indoctrinated with anti-religious propaganda…. It’s ridiculous,” he said. “I am pleased to announce this morning that the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools.”
Trump also noted his administration’s goals to offer tax credits for school choice scholarships and the urgency of prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in sports.
Watch the full speech here:
