4 highlights from Rededicate 250: 'We pray mercy upon our land'

By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Monday, May 18, 2026

3. House Speaker Mike Johnson rededicates US as one nation under God

During a 10-minute prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., offered the event's keystone formal rededication of the U.S. as one nation under God.

Echoing many of the other speakers, Johnson opened by acknowledging the hand of divine providence in American history since the voyages of Christopher Columbus and the settlers at Jamestown and Plymouth. He noted the extraordinary courage of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, which came less than two months after the Second Continental Congress called on the colonists to humble themselves in repentance.

I was honored to lead a prayer of rededication at today’s @Freedom250 Rededicate250 event on the National Mall.

Just as 56 brave men dedicated this land in the Lord’s name at our nation’s founding, we rededicate the United States as “One Nation Under God” as we mark 250 years… pic.twitter.com/74eUcb6wTP

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 18, 2026

Johnson listed other profound examples of courage in American history, such as the Civil War, World War II, the Cold War and the heroes of 9/11, but warned that America faces "a new set of challenges in a new era" from forces that seek to undermine its spiritual foundations.

"In recent years, we've seen sinister ideologies sow confusion and discord among our people. We witnessed attacks on our history, on our heroes, and the cherished moral and spiritual identity of this great nation," he said. "These voices insist to the young and impressionable that our story, the American story, is one of oppression and hypocrisy, and that this story can only be understood through the lens of our sins."

"Father, we reject that, we rebuke it in your name," he said to applause.

Johnson later invoked divine guidance, adding, "Lord, never let us be separated from your mercy and your love."

"Today, here, Lord, in this 250th year of American independence, we hereby rededicate the United States of America as one nation under God. Look upon us with favor upon your country as we celebrate this momentous anniversary, and let your Holy Spirit descend upon this land, so that future generations will look back at this day in this present age, and once again see your providential hand at work," he added.