Prayer and patriotism

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LINDSAY MAST, HOST: Up next, a patriotic rally in the nation’s capital that doubled as a Sunday worship service.

Thousands gathered on the National Mall to pray, worship, and reflect on the Christian roots of the United States.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: The event, called Rededicate 250, was one of a number of government-sponsored celebrations commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of this nation. But some critics call it a sign of Christian nationalism.

Here’s WORLD’s Juliana Chan Erikson with the story.

REDEDICATE 250: We welcome you, and we welcome Jesus into this house, amen?

JULIANA CHAN ERIKSON: Sunday’s Rededicate 250 had all the makings of an ordinary church service.

It had personal testimonies and Scripture reading…

REDEDICATE 250: And the king stood by the pillar, and he made a covenant before the Lord…

… preaching about the need for God and a relationship with Jesus...

REDEDICATE 250: God met me there, not because I deserve it, but because he is merciful...

… and thousands of Christians singing and lifting their hands in worship. 

Many had come from all over the country, missing their own church service for a different sort of worship event.

Ken Sims from Bethel, North Carolina, attended and describes himself as a follower of Jesus.

KEN SIMS: We're just hoping to experience an awesome time in prayer and fellowship.

But pastors weren’t the only ones talking about God and Christian faith.

MIKE JOHNSON: My humble assignment here today is simply to bring us straight to the Lord in a prayer of rededication. Would you join me in that?

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson led the crowd in prayer, and Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina reflected on his personal Christian faith.

TIM SCOTT: I’m talking about the one that saved my life, Jesus! My king, my Lord, and my everything.

Scott and other politicians also spent time discussing another idea—that America has been destined to be a Christian nation.

SCOTT: The principles contained in the Declaration of Independence are saving principles—can I get an Amen?—saving principles. Stand by those principles! Be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes.

Some pastors also shifted from talking about love for God to talking about the founding fathers.

ROBERT JEFFRESS: These leaders who loved our country and loved our God would be called Christian nationalists today.

Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, addressed critics who said this event blurred the line between separation of church and state.

JEFFRESS: If being a Christian nationalist means loving Jesus Christ and loving America, count me in!

Crowds cheered, but some exercised caution about using the term Christian nationalist.

LARRY ARNN: You have to be clear about the relationship.

Larry Arnn is president of Hillsdale College and says historically, Americans have held large prayer gatherings like these, both in crisis and celebration. He said Sunday’s event was no different. 

But he added that being a Christian nation doesn’t necessarily mean converting everyone. It also means giving citizens the right to choose.

LARRY ARNN: Freedom of religion was first fully realized in the United States of America, and the founders took great pride in that, see, and they thought that was a natural, rational thing to do, and also a Christian thing to do. That is the sense in which it's a Christian nation.

Last week, a Pew survey noted that a growing number of Americans believe religion plays a positive role in public life. But the majority still say churches and other houses of worship should remain silent on political matters. Seventy nine percent of Americans, for example, say houses of worship should not endorse political candidates.

Back at the rally, spectator Tammy Howard talked about balancing a public faith as a Christian with respect for other people’s beliefs.

TAMMY HOWARD: But I do speak the word of the Lord to people, and if they don't like it, then that's fine. As long as I have, they have their views, I have mine.

But she said it’s that holding of different views that makes America an exciting place to live.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Juliana Chan Erikson.

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