“One Nation Under God” to culminate on the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4
LOS ANGELES, May 18, 2026 – For 50 days, 50 pastors from 50 states will pray for America as our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding on July 4. Franklin Graham is calling for Christians to pray that America would turn back to Jesus Christ and be One Nation Under God.
“Two and a half centuries since our founding, the United States is at a crossroads,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse. “The America of 2026 is vastly different than the country that our forefathers established. The spiritual climate of our country has decayed, and we need to turn to God in repentance. The only hope for us as individuals and for America is the Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Since Franklin Graham launched the 50 days of prayer on May 15, pastors from across the country have led daily prayers for the issues facing our families, our schools, our society, and our government. The short videos are released each day at noon on OneNationUnderGod.com, as well as on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s app and social media channels.
Following prayers from the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas, Pastor Greg Laurie from Riverside, California, will lead in prayer on May 19. He said, “God has given us an amazing promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 where He says, ‘If My people which are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven forgive their sin and heal their land.” The pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship continued saying, “My prayer is that God will heal our land and that He will help us humble ourselves. We need to pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. America needs a spiritual awakening. There is no other hope apart from that for this nation.”
Franklin Graham has called Christians across the United States to prayer during critical moments many times before, including in 2016 when he prayed at all 50 state capitals, and in 2020 when he led a Prayer March at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
His father, Billy Graham, also recognized the importance of praying for our nation. When he stood on the steps on the U.S. Capitol building in 1952, he called on Congress to establish a national day of prayer—which was enacted later that year. This year marked the 75th year that the United States has observed the National Day of Prayer.
To find out more about One Nation Under God: 50 Days of Prayer for Our Nation, and to join in praying, visit OneNationUnderGod.com.
About The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Founded by Billy Graham in 1950, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association shares the Good News of Jesus Christ around the world. From its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association directs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large-scale outreaches led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; the Billy Graham Library; the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, located outside of Asheville, North Carolina; SearchforJesus.net, an internet evangelism project reaching thousands of people for Christ online; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the internet. For more information, please visit billygraham.org. Get news updates on X at x.com/BGEAnews.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Moseley
lmoseley@bgea.org