The National Mall transformed into a gathering place for prayer and thanksgiving Sunday as thousands came together for “Rededicate 250,” a full day of worship, sermons, and public reflection as part of the Freedom 250 initiative.
The open-air event, which drew both in-person crowds and a large online audience, was framed by organizers as a deliberate act of national rededication — an effort to reaffirm the country as “one nation under God.” Speakers repeatedly invoked the precise anniversary of May 17, 1776, when the Continental Congress issued America’s first official proclamation for a National Day of Prayer and fasting amid the gathering storm of the Revolutionary War.
“Rededicate 250” was held exactly 250 years later on the same date.
“Today is not just a day to remember history, it is a day to remember the Hand that wrote our history, the Hand of Almighty God,” said Dr. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church Dallas.
Image courtesy of Jessie Jordan / Liberty University
That 1776 document declared it “the indispensable duty” of the colonies to “publickly acknowledge the overruling providence of God,” confess their offenses and seek divine help “in the cause of freedom, virtue, and posterity.”
Over the course of the day, leaders in politics and religion, including multiple NRB members and partners, spoke on the power of prayer, the prevalence of miracles, and the Christian heritage of America.
“America is not done with God,” declared Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, “and God is not done with America.”
Interspersed throughout the event was worship lead by groups and individuals including Liberty Worship Collective and Liberty University Praise, the U.S. Armed Forces Trumpets, the Grand Canyon University Chorale “Critical Mass,” and Chris Tomlin. Laura Osnes performed the Star-Spangled Banner with the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard.
Liberty University singers at “Rededicate 250. Image courtesy of Jessie Jordan / Liberty University
Gary Hamrick, pastor of Cornerstone Chapel, gave opening remarks, pointing to historical calls for national prayer as evidence for the Christian foundation of America. He called those in attendance to receive salvation from Jesus.
“We cannot have rededication unless we first have repentance,” Hamrick said.
“When Columbus first reached the New World, his first act was an act of prayer to the Lord of hosts,” Eric Metaxas said. “America came into being because we trusted God. … We will only continue because we trust God.”
Pastor Jonathan Falwell, chancellor at Liberty University, led the gathering in prayer: “Father, we gather today to seek Your face. We know that we have been blessed, so let us seek to be a blessing in our world which is always looking for hope.”
Dr. Alveda C. King opened her message by praying for the Gospel to “once again reign from our pulpits,” as America lives up to her founding creeds.
“Prayer is always our most powerful weapon facing adversity and hatred,” King said.
A video message from Franklin Graham, president & CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, highlighted the decline in biblical literacy and morality in America.
“America has become morally rotten, simply sick with sin,” said Graham, who also serves as president & CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “There’s only One who can save America, there’s only One who can save you, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Following Graham, his daughter Cissie Graham Lynch recognized that American Christians have the freedom not only to believe the Gospel, but also to share it.
“Woven into the fabric of America is a deep and persistent belief that we cannot persevere on our own, that we need God,” she said. “Our forefathers knew it. And out of that foundation came something extraordinary: the gift of religious freedom.”
A series of miracle stories composed the message from Abigail Roberston, a reporter, producer, and podcast host at CBN.
Image courtesy of Jessie Jordan / Liberty University
“We all know that hard times will come, evil can seem triumphant but over and over again in the Bible God tells us, ‘Do not fear,’” Robertson concluded.
Jack Graham, pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, called Americans to sanctify themselves in preparation for God’s work of revival.
“Our God can do anything but fail,” he reminded the attendees. “We’re on the brink of blessing in our nation; I sense it. Do you?”
In a video message, President Donald J. Trump read from 2 Chronicles 7 and Vice President JD Vance traced the role of prayer in American history, the Christian foundation of American values, and the wave of young Americans returning to the church.
The event also featured prayer and messages from Speaker Mike Johnson, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office Paula White, and Major General Patrick Brady.
Image courtesy of Jessie Jordan / Liberty University
With many more cultural speakers and spiritual leaders from across denominations and geography encouraging Americans to turn to God, the event saturated the nation’s capital with words of Scripture, prayer, and worship.
Thousands attended in person and thousands more tuned in online to experience the hope of revival and reflect on the Christian roots of the American nation as she approaches 250 years of freedom.
