Addressing attendees of the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5, President Donald Trump announced plans for a prayer gathering on the National Mall this spring to “rededicate America as one nation under God” during the yearlong observance of the country’s 250th anniversary.

Trump said the event, dubbed the National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving, will be held on May 17.

“We’re inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, give thanks, and to rededicate America as One Nation Under God,” he said.

The announcement drew long applause from the audience, prompting Trump to comment, “That's what I mean by the spirit — so incredible to see it.”

This year’s prayer breakfast, a bipartisan event centered on prayer for the nation and its leaders, was held at the Washington Hilton. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., co-chaired it.

Throughout his speech, Trump repeatedly highlighted religion’s role in public life and credited his administration with what he described as a cultural shift. He cited actions taken during his administration, including expanding the pro-life Mexico City policy, cutting federal funding from public schools that promote “transgender insanity,” expanding school choice, and establishing the White House faith office.

Trump also announced that the Department of Education is releasing new guidance aimed at protecting prayer rights in public schools.

>> Education Department releases new guidance affirming prayer rights in public schools <<

“Some major politicians refuse to say the word God. They don’t want to say it. I say it,” Trump said. “We are endowed with our sacred rights to life, liberty, and not by government but by God Almighty Himself.” 

“You have to have faith. You have to have God,” Trump continued. “And thankfully, as we gather today, there are many signs that religion is coming back. And now it's no longer signs. It's just coming back. It's coming back so strong. You know, your churches are filling up. You didn't have that two years ago.”

He closed his remarks by emphasizing the power of prayer, which he said “strengthens, heals, empowers, and saves. Quite simply, prayer is America’s superpower.” 

“With the love, devotion, and patriotism of the people in this room and our friends from all over the world — some great ones right here — we can make our country and the world a safer, stronger, more peaceful, and more faithful place than ever before,” he concluded. “And it's all happening right before your very eyes. And I want to again thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.”