Washington, D.C. , 06 February (H.S.): In a stirring address at the 74th National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for a monumental prayer rally on the National Mall, scheduled for May 17, 2026, aimed at rededicating the nation to its foundational creed as one nation under God.

The event, described by the president as an invitation to Americans from all across the country to come together... to pray, to give thanks, seeks to foster a collective spiritual renewal amid the United States' approaching 250th anniversary celebrations.

Delivered at the Washington Hilton to an audience comprising members of Congress, religious leaders, Cabinet officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi, and international dignitaries including Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Trump's remarks underscored his administration's unwavering commitment to religious liberty.

The National Mall, affectionately termed America's front yard and managed by the National Park Service, spans a vast grassy expanse flanked by the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, providing an iconic backdrop for this anticipated mass gathering.

Trump, a self-identified non-denominational Christian not renowned for regular church attendance—contrasting sharply with his predecessor Joe Biden—boldly proclaimed that his tenure has advanced religious causes more than any prior presidency, while provocatively questioning how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat in the presence of opposition lawmakers.

Infusing levity into his discourse, the 79-year-old leader quipped about his reluctance to skip the breakfast, stating, It's hard to turn it down. I don't have the courage to turn it down, and admitting, I need all the help I can get.

Reflecting on personal salvation, Trump expressed newfound optimism, conceding he is no perfect candidate for heaven yet asserting, I really think I probably should make it, following earlier admissions of doubt.This sixth appearance by Trump at the bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast since 2017 signals a continued alliance with the Christian right, a cornerstone of his political base since his inaugural 2016 campaign, as the administration pledges further protections against perceived anti-Christian bias.

The announcement has already sparked widespread discussion, positioning the rally as a pivotal moment in America's cultural and spiritual narrative.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar