Tens of thousands of evangelical Christians gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., recently to pray for America’s repentance and to advocate for Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The rally, known as “A Million Women,” was framed by its organizers as a critical moment to reclaim the nation from what they described as “satanic forces” and steer it back toward Christian values.
Many attendees echoed this sentiment, expressing their belief that the upcoming election is a “last stand” for America.
The event was led by Lou Engle, a leader within the New Apostolic Reformation. Engle, who describes himself as a prophet, claimed to have received a divine message to organize the rally, calling on a million women to come to Washington to “restore God’s dominion over the nation.”
In his impassioned speech, he urged attendees to seek divine intervention, saying, “Listen to the cries of your people. Save us, God!”
The attendees, many waving flags and wearing “Make America Great Again” hats, prayed and sang throughout the day. They also voiced their concerns over social issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights, which they believe threaten the moral fabric of the nation.
Many women wore pink shirts with the slogan “Don’t Mess With Our Kids,” reflecting their opposition to what they see as harmful influences in schools and pop culture.
Susan Marsh, one of the attendees, explained her concerns about the current state of America. She said she fears that if Democrats retain power, her young grandson could be influenced to question his gender identity.
Marsh, holding a large “Appeal to Heaven” flag, said, “Our children are going through surgeries that are unnecessary because their hearts are broken.” Her comments reflect a widely held belief among participants that America needs to return to traditional values.
Another attendee, Maryn Freitag, traveled from Minnesota to support what she believes is Trump’s God-given mission.
She refused to consider the possibility of Trump losing the election, with a companion adding, “Think Armageddon.” This apocalyptic rhetoric was echoed by others, underscoring a belief that the nation faces dire consequences if Trump does not win.
Matthew Taylor, a scholar from the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies, observed the event and noted that the rally exemplifies a growing trend within the Christian right toward viewing politics as a battle between good and evil.
He expressed concern that the rally’s dire messaging, which portrays Trump as the nation’s only hope, could fuel radical actions among Trump’s supporters. Taylor has researched this movement extensively and noted that such views contributed to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
He warned that this type of rhetoric could lead to further unrest, especially if followers perceive the election as a spiritual war.
The crowd was notably diverse, with some attendees from majority-Black churches. Organizers held the event on Yom Kippur, a day of atonement, which they saw as a symbolically significant time to call for repentance and redemption.
LaTrece Curry, a Black mother from Ohio, shared how supporting Trump has created tension within her family and community. She said she sees Trump as the only candidate who can set America back on a moral course, despite his controversial past and legal issues.
“It is a last stand,” she said. “Now judgment will come.”
Phil Heilman, who attended with his wife, said he believes Trump’s defeat would not mark the end of America’s fight for righteousness. He stated that even if Vice President Kamala Harris wins, he has faith that God will ultimately prevail.
Holding a “Jesus Is King” flag, he suggested that, should Trump lose, believers might find other, more subtle ways to bring about change. His views reflect a belief among some rally-goers that political solutions alone cannot save the nation.
As the rally concluded, attendees left with a renewed commitment to their cause, with many seeing Trump’s re-election as a divine mandate.
For them, the fight to save America is about more than just politics—it is a matter of spiritual urgency and a call to action they believe has been sanctioned by God.
