The nation has entered into a “hinge of history” moment, according to Pastor Lou Engle, who addressed the thousands of Americans present and online, eager to rededicate the nation to the Lord.

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Pastor Engle’s exhortation to humble ourselves in repentance and prayer before the Lord happened in the final part of Rededicate 250. His address followed a video of President Donald J. Trump reading from 2 Chronicles. The video was from the President’s Bible reading in April, which was a part of America Reads the Bible.

Moments later, a little before 5 p.m., Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) opened his reading of a proclamation of rededication of America to the Lord by calling it his singular assignment for the event.

Speaker Johnson’s governmental authority stemmed from President Donald J. Trump’s February declaration at the National Prayer Breakfast that the prayer gathering would be held to rededicate America as one nation under God, in light of its 250th anniversary.

Here’s the entirety of Speaker Johnson’s rededication:

Many spiritual leaders spoke, prayed, and encouraged the crowd, which may have reached 15,000 based on pre-event estimates by Freedom 250 organizers. Bishop Robert Barron rendered the official religious rededication. Bishop Barron serves as bishop of Winona-Rochester and founded Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.

An Eventful Day

Rededicate 250 opened with musical worship and speakers including a surprise behind-the-stage speaker.

Dan Taylor, who introduced himself as the voice who typically announced the next speaker or singer, read the original proclamation, which set May 17, 1776, as a national day of prayer and fasting — 250 years ago.

The opening of Rededicate 250 led into sections called pillars. Pillar 1 featured the miracles that formed and informed America. Pillar 2 comprised the miracles in our midst with testimonies, and Pillar 3 pointed to a new birth of faith by focusing on renewal and on the nation’s future.

The official rededication was the final section. A worship concert fittingly closed the day-long event.

Though the mood was mainly celebratory, several speakers — notably Bishop Kelvin Cobrias of New Life Church International — spoke on America’s history with slavery and how Christians led the abolition movement.

Governmental Heavy Hitters

In addition to Speaker Johnson, governmental leaders spoke in person and on video. Among these, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson made in-person appearances.

On video, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke movingly about the role God played in U.S. History. On video, Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard also spoke about God, although she has proclaimed herself to be a Hindu. Vice President J.D. Vance, however, had the last word before the concert, quoting his personal friend, Charlie Kirk:

All law reflects a morality. Neither law nor morality appears in a vacuum but ultimately comes from religion, and the morality and religion that formed the American consciousness were decidedly Christian, founded upon the principles and the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Heavy Hitters

Faith luminaries were in abundance. Among them were the Rev. Robert Jeffress and the Rev. Franklin Graham, who spoke via video. Pastor Paula White and Cardinal Timothy Dolan also spoke on video. Dr. Alveda King prayed fervently for America, and Dutch Sheets (who will be featured at IFA’s Rededicate America on the 3rd and 4th of July) prayed a short prayer after his friend Lou Engle that summarized the day and proclaimed the great weight it will carry:

Lord, we conclude this session by saying You are extending Your hand of mercy to this nation. Millions of prayers have been prayed today and for the past 30-40 years. You have accepted those prayers, and we say today is breakthrough day. Today is reconnection day. Today is re-covenant day. Today is the day that the outpouring of Your Spirit begins in our nation. We declare a new beginning for America in the mighty name of Jesus.

Rabbi Meir Soloveichik spoke of Irving Berlin and how he came to write God Bless America. In light of recent hostilities, Rabbi Soloveitchik also warned against antisemitism.

Retired and highly decorated General Patrick Brady revealed Jesus was his pilot when he flew a helicopter in Vietnam. According to General Brady, the Lord led him to rescue men, women, and children from combat zones. Further, the Lord led him to new strategies to overcome the very treacherous weather that pilots often confronted in the region.

Many other pastors and ministers spoke and prayed at the event, sharing inspiring stories and encouragement.

Cultural Leaders

Noted author Eric Metaxas summarized key events of American history, including when Revolutionary War soldiers were spared because of fog sent by the Lord. These stories are covered in his book Revolution.

Several other cultural leaders spoke or sang. Jonathan Roumie of The Chosen fame spoke of the importance of prayer. Sadie Robertson of Duck Dynasty shared the impact of a life through the story of her grandfather, Phil Robertson. And Laura Osnes, who played the lead in Broadway’s Cinderella, sang the national anthem with the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard.

Musical Offerings

The musical worship resounded, starting with an extensive set led by Andy Frank. Several military groups lifted instruments and voices to the Lord, while Hillsdale College, Liberty University, and Grand Canyon University shared their students’ talents.

The closing concert featured Blessing Offor opening for Chris Tomlin.

No Resting on Laurels

Rededicate 250 opened the hinge for IFA intercessors eager to see revival and reform come in abundance to America. As Pastor Engle said, the biblical nations returned to the Lord when their governmental head invited such rededication.

But our knees still need to hit the floor. IFA CEO and President David Kubal issued a challenge to us, calling Rededicate 250 “a national call to prayer from the highest office for the nation at a pivotal time in our history.”

Mr. Kubal called us to press into prayer with renewed clarity and faith; this is the intercessors’ moment, he said.

Lord, thank You for Your love for America and its people. Inspire the prayer, repentance, revival, renewal, and reformation we need to fulfill all Your plans for us, in Jesus’ Name.

We interviewed a number of people attending Rededicate 250:

Click their names to jump to their interviews:

• Judy Spiegel, Pastor of Hineni Messianic Fellowship, speaks of the first time our nation was dedicated to the Lord in 1565.
• Tim Barton, CEO of Wallbuilders, and Colonel Kevin Bouren, the first officer reinstated after having been discharged for not taking the experimental COVID-19 Vaccination.
• Janet Folger Porter, Architect of the Heartbeat Bill
• Brett, Sonia, and Lincoln Collier, Hollywood Prayer Network leaders of a Broadway fellowship, and understudy for Young Michael Jackson in MJ on Broadway.
• Mona Colwell, IFA State Prayer leader for Connecticut.
• Jane Hampton Cook, author of Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812

Click here to see the photos we took during Rededicate 250.

What did you think of Rededicate 250? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

Rich and Joyce Swingle are intercessors, contributing writers, and webcast prayer leaders for IFA. They travel the world bringing the Lord’s word in drama, intercession, and speaking. Their home mission is New York City. www.RichDrama.com. Photo Credit: Rich Swingle.