We believe, as did our founder, Dr. James Dobson, that America’s only hope for the future is that we turn our hearts back to God. That’s one of the reasons we are excited about a historically significant worship event scheduled for this year. It is part of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The White House has announced a day of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving for May 17, 2026, including a special event on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Every American is invited. To RSVP, go here.
The date of this event has historical roots. In 1776, the American colonies were facing the likelihood of a war with the British Empire. Armed conflict between colonial patriots and British troops had already exploded in 1775 in the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. More British troops were headed across the Atlantic.
In January 1776, a firebrand “patriot” named Thomas Paine published a pamphlet titled Common Sense. In it, he called for complete independence rather than reconciliation with England.
While all this was happening, the Second Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia. The delegates were confronted with monumental life-and-death decisions. They were divided by regional disagreements. Tempers often flared. Fear was in the air. In this atmosphere, they could agree on only one main idea: Without God, the cause of independence was doomed.
With that knowledge, on March 16, 1776, the Continental Congress declared a national day of fasting and prayer to take place on May 17 across all of the colonies.
Reading that proclamation today, from 250 years ago, one sees clearly that these were men of faith who knew all was lost without God’s hand of protection. The words they wrote are as powerful today as they were when first penned.
The Congress called for May 17 to be “a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies . . .”
Without hesitation, they also called on “the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the continental arms, by sea and land, with victory and success.”
These Christian patriots, many of whom had deep knowledge of Scripture, believed war was morally acceptable to defeat tyranny.
They concluded the proclamation by asking God to “bless all his people in these colonies with health and plenty” and with “a spirit of incorruptible patriotism and of pure undefiled religion . . .” Clearly, these were men who loved the new country waiting to be born, and they loved Christ. Today, they would be scorned by our secular “elites” as “Christian nationalists.”1
When you read their stirring words, it is absolutely clear how strong a role the Christian faith played in the creation of our great country. Sadly, the educational establishment and radical secularist groups have convinced millions of Americans that religion was meant to be excluded from America’s “public square” and the halls of government. Nothing could be further from the truth.
President Trump has stated repeatedly that America cannot accurately celebrate our 250th birthday as a nation without publicly acknowledging God’s role in our founding and the necessity of His blessing now, in these dangerous times.
In his proclamation, President Trump said:
Guided by the example of Founding Fathers like George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and other American patriots who helped light the torch of liberty in 1776, let us ask our Creator to bless America, free our Nation and our people from all threats to our safety and happiness, and guide our actions for the security and common good of all Americans.
He added, “The Bible teaches: ‘In all circumstances give thanks.’ As such, it is fitting that we mark this special year as a unique occasion to celebrate our proud history, reflect on our abundant blessings, pray for our country and our people, and rededicate ourselves as one Nation under God.”
The James Dobson Family Institute is excited to join with the White House and Congress to celebrate and rededicate America to be “One Nation Under God.” We hope you will join us in this celebration.
- Second Continental Congress, Proclamation Appointing a Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, March 16, 1776, recommending May 17, 1776, Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel04.html.
- Donald J. Trump, Proclamation—Year of Celebration and Rededication, 2026, presidential proclamation, January 29, 2026, White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/01/year-of-celebration-and-rededication-2026/.
- Trump, Proclamation—Year of Celebration and Rededication, 2026.
