Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., on Newsmax Thursday highlighted the long-standing tradition of congressional prayer following President Donald Trump's appearance at the 74th National Prayer Breakfast.
He said that it reflects the nation's Judeo-Christian foundations and offers lawmakers a moment of humility, reflection, and unity.
Speaking to "Bianca Across the Nation," Marshall said Congress has gathered to pray since 1953, a tradition he traced back to former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"This goes back to my boyhood hero, President Eisenhower, when he started this tradition, a senator from Kansas invited him to pray with the nation. And we've continued that tradition on through today," he said.
"This feels like communion for the nation — that this is the day we pause, we get down on our knees, and say, 'God, we failed you as a nation, but we want to do better. We want to be that bright shining hill.'"
"We want to make sure that we're indeed the nation of 'in God we trust,'" Marshall said.
The prayer gathering serves as a reminder of the country's responsibility to live up to its ideals, including justice, mercy, and humility, noted Marshall, adding that the moment allows leaders to reflect on the nation's role as a moral example.
Marshall said personal prayer is a daily part of his life and informs how he approaches public service. Marshall cited the biblical call to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly," saying he prays to embody those values in his work as a lawmaker.
He added that prayers during the congressional gathering extended beyond lawmakers to include the nation's leadership and institutions.
Marshall said he and others prayed for Trump and his family, Vice President JD Vance, and members of the judicial system.
"We pray that they would be doing justice as well," he said, adding that the goal is national unity rooted in shared faith.
He also pointed to Eisenhower's role in adding the phrase "one nation, under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance, calling it another enduring reminder of the country's religious heritage.
"That's something else that President Eisenhower gave us," Marshall said. "So I truly, truly hope this nation can remember our Judeo-Christian values that we were founded on, that we could always be indeed one nation under God."
The annual prayer tradition, he added, remains a vital opportunity for reflection as the country faces ongoing social and political challenges.
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Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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