USA72AusPray 2026
Since 2013, the Canberra Declaration team has called Australia and the nations of the world to pray for the United States of America in May.
In 2026, we issue that call again — but this year carries a weight and significance unlike any before.
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the USA. The Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, contains these now-famous words which laid the foundation for the greatest Christian democracy the world has known:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Remarkably, even Thomas Jefferson — no orthodox Christian — acknowledged the inseparable link between God and liberty, writing in 1781 in Notes on the State of Virginia:
“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are the gift of God?”
The clear answer to this question is ‘no’. The Judaeo-Christian foundation is the “only firm basis” for the most basic of human rights, such as the right to life, freedom of conscience and religion. Remove the God of liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17) from the minds of men and women, and civil liberties will crumble.
That’s why we are thrilled to issue this call for 72 hours of continuous prayer and worship for the USA from 15–18 May.
USA: A Gift to the World
America, despite her deep flaws, has been and remains a gift to the world.
The USA sends out more long-term Christian missionaries to the ends of the earth than any other country — and by a big margin — 127,000 per year. In distant second place is Brazil, which sends 34,000. Many global missions and Bible societies trace their origins to America. It has founded more seminaries, Christian colleges, universities, organisations and Christian movements than any other nation — once again by a big margin.
Even in its weakened state, America remains the biggest bulwark against evil in the world. For better or worse, the USA’s influence on the world’s nations is undeniable.
We want that influence to be for the better.
Rededication of the USA to God: Sunday, 17 May
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the White House has set aside Sunday, 17 May as a national day of prayer and rededication of the United States “as one nation under God”.
Multitudes of Americans will gather at the National Mall, Washington, D.C. (or participate online) for this defining historic moment — with many predicting it will be the largest Christian gathering in 50 years. In President Trump’s words:
“As we prepare to celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, I am inviting America’s great religious communities to pray for our nation and for our people.
From the beginning, this has always been a country sustained and strengthened by prayer.
So important, if we bring religion back stronger, you’re going to see everything get better and better and better…
So, as we chart our course for the next 250 years, let us rededicate ourselves to one nation under God.”
– President Trump, Iowa, July 3, 2025
Billy Graham’s son, Franklin, who leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has labelled this period “a critical moment in our history”.
“There is nothing more powerful that we can do for our country, our churches, and our families than to come together in prayer before God Almighty.”
As Australians, we are privileged to issue this call to stand with Christians in the USA and pray for the spiritual awakening of both countries. Let us seek God’s face for the spread of the gospel across our respective nations — and the entire globe.
Register to Pray Online
The Canberra Declaration is hosting 72 continuous hours of prayer online, from midday, Friday, 15 May, to midday, Monday, 18 May (Sydney time/AEST).
Register your name via the orange button below this link and we will email you all the details. Join us for one hour — or twenty!
Together in prayer we can make a difference.
Prayer Points and Purpose for USA72AusPray
1. To release a great offering of worship, praise and thanksgiving to God. Hebrews 13:15
2. That the global Church would be filled with extravagant love for God and a passion to reach the lost. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15
3. Revival, repentance and reformation for America and tens of millions to find Christ. Acts 2:1–47
4. Revival, repentance and reformation for Australia (or your nation of origin) and millions to find Christ. 2 Chronicles 7:14
5. For each believer to pray for five people to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20
Download and Share USA72AusPray 2026 Posters
A free USA72AusPray poster is available below in PDF and JPEG formats to download and print. Please share it with your friends, family, church leaders, and networks. The QR code on each poster links directly to this registration page — simply point a phone camera at it to register. Easy!
Appendix: The Story of America Is the Story of America’s Christian Faith
