“One Nation Under God” to culminate on the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 13, 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.”
Franklin Graham will kick off the opening prayer on May 15 and will conclude the 50 days of prayer on July 4, America’s 250th birthday. A new video will be released each day at noon on OneNationUnderGod.com, as well as on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s app and social media channels. The short daily videos will feature pastors from across the country who will pray for issues facing the United States in our homes, schools, government and society.
On May 15, Bishop Jim Lowe from Birmingham, Alabama, will lead in prayer. He said, “I will pray that God will grant every political leader in this nation wisdom, not wisdom of man but wisdom coming from God. We need to pray that God will give them courage to stand boldly for what is right and create policies and laws based upon His Word.” The pastor of Guiding Light Church continued saying, “It is my prayer that we will become a nation of people who will be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all—for blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
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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