National Day of Prayer Serves One Religion – and It Isn’t Yours

Oh National Day of Prayer, you’ve been a proverbial thorn in America’s side since Congress created you in the 50’s.

That may seem overly dramatic, but let’s look at this through the lens of the Buddhist, the Sikh, the Jewish community, and dare I even invite to the table, the atheist and the humanist?

The National Day of Prayer has faced legal challenges in the past, but it always lands on its feet, primarily because Christianity is over-represented in our government. And while the intent of the day was to unify the country through a call to prayer, there is something far more sinister and divisive at work now that the National Day of Prayer has been hijacked by MAGA Christians.

Don’t take my word for it. Visit nationaldayofprayer.org, and you will see for yourself.

What should be an inclusive moment to honor the spiritual diversity across our country has been hijacked and turned into a vehicle for promoting one narrow, rigid expression of Christianity: white evangelical conservatism.

The "official" 2025 prayer leans heavily into a specific theology that excludes the rich landscape of spiritual thought across America. It’s not simply Christian-centered — it demands allegiance to a political, fundamentalist version of faith.

And if you look closer, something even more troubling appears: The National Day of Prayer is increasingly aligned with Dominion Theology and the 7 Mountain Mandate. Two core teachings of Christian Nationalism. It’s literally right there on their landing page.

Understanding Dominion Theology and the 7 Mountain Mandate

Dominion Theology is the belief that a nation should be governed by Christians but not just any Christians. Primarily, white, able-bodied, cis-het, evangelical Christian males. Make no mistake about this — no one else gets to sit on top of that proverbial mountain to lead than the white Christian man.

At the center of this movement is the 7 Mountain Mandate. The belief that the church must control the seven major spheres of influence in society:

• Education

• Religion

• Family

• Business

• Government/Military

• Arts/Entertainment

• Media

When you understand this, it becomes clear why some church leaders believe it’s not only acceptable but divinely ordained to align with corrupt politicians, weaponize scripture, and hold the public hostage to their beliefs.

Anyone outside their belief system is considered "fallen," and therefore can be treated however they wish through deception, manipulation, suppression, and unjust laws.

For them, forcing their ideology onto others isn’t oppression. It’s a holy duty. They believe it will hasten the return of Christ.

This is the worst form of patriarchy, for this one is rooted in white male supremacy, power consolidation, and domination.

And it is alive and well inside the National Day of Prayer movement.

Why We Must Reject the National Day of Prayer

1. It blurs the line between church and state.
The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion and freedom from religious control. A government-endorsed day rooted in evangelical supremacy threatens both.

2. It reinforces Christian Nationalism.
The myth that America is, and must remain, an evangelical Christian nation is false and dangerous.

3. It excludes millions of Americans.
Progressive Christians. Catholics. Jews. Muslims. Buddhists. Indigenous spiritualities. Atheists. Humanists. Agnostics. All shut out unless they submit.

4. It weaponizes prayer for political conquest.
Prayer should connect, not conquer. This is not prayer. This is a power grab.

If you still feel called to pray on the first Thursday in May, by all means, pray.
But do not pray alongside those who would weaponize your faith for domination.

Pray for true freedom. Freedom that protects everyone, not just those in power.
Pray for justice.
Pray for a future where no one’s rights are held hostage to another’s religion.

Reject the co-opted National Day of Prayer.
Honor the sacred that is in each of us instead.