WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds gathered at the Museum of the Bible on a cold February morning for the 2025 National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance (NGPR). The event, marked by hymns, prayers, and calls for repentance, focused on both personal and national reconciliation with God.
Attendees began arriving before dawn, their spirits high as they prepared for a day of unity and prayer. Hymns like “It Is Well” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” filled the museum, setting the tone for the event. Well Versed Founder Jim Garlow opened the gathering, emphasizing the dual focus of the day: prayer and repentance, first for America and then for the nations.
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) underscored the significance of holding the gathering in a museum dedicated to the living God, contrasting it with institutions focused on the past. The focus of the prayers was explicitly on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Garlow acknowledged the current administration, stating, “We’re glad that Trump is in the White House,” but emphasized, “We’re thrilled that Jesus is King,” to enthusiastic applause. Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, reinforced this sentiment, highlighting the temporal nature of human government compared to the eternal government of God.
Throughout the day, speakers proclaimed the gospel, stressing the possibility of redemption for all. Prayers addressed a range of issues, from personal struggles to national crises, with a particular emphasis on abortion and sexual sin.
A woman who had previously undergone an abortion offered a heartfelt prayer of repentance, asking for forgiveness for herself and for the millions of women who have made similar choices. She also prayed for those who did not defend the unborn, including parents, pastors, and government officials.
A former porn actor shared his testimony and offered repentance for his past, highlighting the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. Individuals formerly identifying as homosexual also prayed, asking for true masculinity to flourish and repenting for the influence of LGBT activism.
Approximately two dozen members of Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), participated in the gathering, offering prayers for wisdom, discernment, and repentance for personal sins and national failings. They also repented on behalf of the church for complacency and lukewarmness. Johnson noted that these prayer meetings are a regular occurrence among members of Congress.
Pastor Nick Vujicic prayed for the church, addressing issues of greed, gluttony, and the need for stronger discipleship. He also prayed for the salvation of all, including political leaders. Hungarian leader Tristan Azbej focused on the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide, urging solidarity and action. Eduard Heger from Slovakia echoed this sentiment, praying for hearts filled with love and a spirit of repentance.
The NGPR also featured international representation from over 20 countries. Michele Bachmann prayed for Israel, and representatives from other nations offered prayers for revival, repentance for various sins, and courage to be a light in a dark world.
Rabbi Jonathan Cahn concluded the gathering, emphasizing the importance of turning both hearts and laws back to God. He warned that without a genuine spiritual transformation, history is destined to repeat itself. “The only way America can be great again is for America to turn back to the God who made America great in the first place,” Cahn stated. “Return to God and greatness will follow.”