Organizers expect thousands of Americans from across the country to gather on the National Mall on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving.
The event, promoted by President Donald Trump and organized by Freedom 250, reportedly features high-profile speakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Franklin Graham, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and others.
THIS SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026! 🇺🇸
Americans from every state will gather on the National Mall for Rededicate 250, a historic day of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving celebrating 250 years of God’s providence over America.
🇺🇸 Speaker Mike Johnson
🇺🇸 Secretary Pete Hegseth
🇺🇸 Franklin… pic.twitter.com/ASXNMEwqW2— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) May 13, 2026
It comes weeks after the annual National Day of Prayer on May 7 and aligns with broader observances leading to the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
The National Day of Prayer has been observed annually on the first Thursday in May since 1952, when President Harry Truman signed it into law following advocacy efforts that included those of Rev. Billy Graham. Congress formalized the date in 1988.
Each year, the President issues a proclamation encouraging Americans to pray. The White House released it on May 6, 2026, ahead of the May 7 observance. It honors America’s tradition of prayer and faith, references the nation’s 250th anniversary, and encourages Americans to pray while noting the upcoming May 17 Rededicate 250 event on the National Mall.
This year’s observances drew participation from local gatherings in all 50 states, with reports of strong turnout at courthouses, churches, and public sites. The National Day of Prayer Task Force reported tens of thousands of local events.
The Dallas Express has previously covered local Texas observances, including the Tarrant County National Day of Prayer Luncheon, which returned for its third year on May 7, 2026, with former NFL quarterback Colt McCoy as keynote speaker.
Trump announced plans for the gathering during the National Prayer Breakfast, stating, “…I’m pleased to announce that on May 17, 2026, we’re inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, to give thanks … to rededicate America as one nation under God,” reported USAToday.
Speakers listed include Franklin Graham, who has launched a separate “One Nation Under God” 50-day prayer initiative running from May 15 to July 4, with daily videos from pastors in each state. Graham posted on May 13 about the upcoming event:
This Sunday, May 17, President @realDonaldTrump is holding an event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to pray and rededicate our nation to God—something no other president has done. I hope Christians from all across this country will come and take a stand for Jesus Christ… pic.twitter.com/eteKvyvaS6
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 13, 2026
The event follows reports of increased spiritual activity in parts of the country.
Faith leaders and observers noted a rise in church attendance and interest in prayer and Bible reading in the months after the September 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Some pastors described it as contributing to a “revival” atmosphere, with accounts of new professions of faith and renewed engagement, though such movements are difficult to quantify nationally, as The Dallas Express has extensively covered.
Local faith leaders have also joined the effort to share God’s Word, including Founder and President of Christians Engaged, Bunni Pounds, who has participated in Bible-reading events ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
We just launched @AmericaRTBible last night at our SoConCon event. Join the movement for April 18-25, 2026 as our national leaders read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation to celebrate our 250th birthday of America. https://t.co/Ufz2DwWkYx
— Bunni Pounds (@bunnipounds) July 26, 2025
Organizers describe Rededicate 250 as nonpartisan and open to Americans of faith, with livestream options and encouragement for churches nationwide to participate remotely.
