With a new administration often comes new policies, new debates, and new challenges. In the last two weeks, President Donald Trump has been busy bringing campaign promises to fruition. Within days, he declared that the government will only recognize two genders, effectively removed DEI and abortion-related material from federal websites, started the process of securing the border, and more. But despite this progress, there’s still much to be done. And while America is desperate for political reform, church and cultural leaders continue to emphasize: the key to lasting change is spiritual.

Last year’s National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance (NGPR) took place only a few months after Hamas unleashed a deadly attack on Israel, which was just the beginning of an ongoing and devastating war in the Middle East. Christians from 29 countries gathered to pray and ask forgiveness on behalf of a “sinful nation and people in front of a holy and just God.” Now, a year later, Christian leaders insist that the need to pray is as urgent as ever, even with a new administration in charge.

“Reflecting on the results of the 2024 election,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, “we are profoundly grateful for God’s mercy. He has granted us hope and the opportunity to advance His truth.” But “in this moment of opportunity, the church must repent and boldly serve as a prophetic voice for America, the world, and the next generation.”

In light of this, the 2025 NGPR, hosted jointly by FRC and Well Versed, is set to take place on Wednesday, February 5, beginning at 7:00 a.m. at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), FRC Board Chairand Dean of Regent University’s School of Government Michele Bachmann, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, author Nick Vujicic, various members of Congress, international guests, and others will all be in attendance for a time of reflection, worship, and intercession for our nation. NGPR is “not a prayer breakfast,” said Well Versed Founder Jim Garlow on Tuesday’s “Washington Watch.” Rather, “it’s a prayer time with no breakfast.”

He continued, “[E]lected officials, members of Congress … from Parliament across Europe … come for one purpose: to pray a one-minute prayer before a holy and righteous God, repenting of sin.” It’s a time for repentance over any and all sin “before a righteous God asking for His forgiveness and for His blessing. It’s a unique experience.”

Perkins noted how the new Trump administration is getting rid of a lot of “bad policy [that is then] being replaced with good policy.” However, he reiterated, “We know from experience that it can swing back again four years from now. We could be right back in the same spot. America needs more than a political reversal. We need a spiritual revival,” which is what “we’re going to be praying for next Wednesday at the Museum of the Bible. We’ll be praying. We’ll be repenting.” Ultimately, repentance is “such a critical message for this moment in our nation’s history,” Perkins observed.

Garlow agreed, stating that while “we have experienced a political revolution … we have not yet seen the evidence of a full-blown spiritual revival. And unless we are anchored to transcendent truths of the Scripture, this will be short-lived.” As he went on to explain, “Being a conservative is a good thing, but it’s not enough. Being a patriot is a good thing, but it’s not enough. Being firmly tethered to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to walk as a regenerate Son of God, made possible through the cross of Jesus Christ where we lay down our lives for Him … is the anchor point which will hold us.”

Even though the political landscape looks favorable for believers, Garlow warned that, “as a nation, we’re still … in a precarious role. We have to see the spiritual awakening to follow in the flows of this political revolution that … we’re witnessing. And that’s what we’re asking the Lord for. That’s what will put our nation on [a] solid foundation once again.” It’s one thing to “Make America Great Again,” he said, but to “make America righteous again is the foundation by which we make America good again.”

Garlow contended that it is the “genuine repentance of the heart, contrition of the heart, [in which] people are drawn back in to the word of God.” This is what will “reestablish the word of God, the truth of God, the way of God, [and] the will of God as a foundation for our individual lives, the lives of our families, our institutional churches … our nation, [and] our community.”

In a comment to The Washington Stand, Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) underscored that “God, in His grace and mercy, has granted America a window of opportunity to correct course. As we enter this new era of leadership in Washington, we must remain vigilant to pray for those in authority in our nation — for the Lord can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. Let’s keep gathering and praying — God is on the move!”

Visit prayDC.org to watch the livestream or register to attend in person.