President Donald Trump marked the National Day of Prayer on Thursday by urging Americans to recommit themselves to faith and prayer, while praising Christianity’s historic role in shaping the United States and Western civilisation.
In a presidential proclamation, Trump said America’s history had been defined by “faith, prayer, and trust in Almighty God” and pledged the country would “never forget the countless blessings God has bestowed upon our people and our country".
The president linked America’s founding to Christian belief, referencing the Second Continental Congress declaring a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” during the Revolutionary War.
“Armed with unshakable faith, the Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, and paved the way for freedom’s ultimate victory five years later at Yorktown,” Trump said.
Trump also credited faith with helping the nation preserve the Union during the Civil War, abolish slavery, win two world wars and “defeat the evil forces of atheistic communism".
The proclamation comes as the United States prepares to mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence next year. Trump described the anniversary as “250 glorious years of American independence".
The president said “faith in God is resurging on American shores like never before” and highlighted plans for thousands of Americans to gather on the National Mall on May 17 “to rededicate the United States as One Nation Under God".
Trump encouraged Americans to participate in prayer events at churches, schools, workplaces and homes across the country.
“Above all, we pledge that America will always, as it is written in Psalm 96, ‘Tell His glory among the nations’—and that we will never forget God’s role in creating, protecting, and sustaining the freest, strongest, most prosperous, and greatest country the world has ever known,” he said.
