In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, a special Chinese cross-church and interdenominational prayer gathering will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Harvest Church of New York. With the theme “Watchmen for America, Crying Out for Revival,” the event invites Chinese friends from different churches, denominations, and community backgrounds to gather together on this meaningful Independence Day to pray, watch, and reflect, offering blessings for America’s future while responding to the responsibility and mission of the Chinese community in this land.
The 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is not only a historic moment of commemoration, but also an important opportunity to reflect again on the nation’s foundations, faith values, and civic responsibility. Since the founding of the nation, America’s faith tradition has deeply influenced its public life, understanding of liberty, and national identity. Expressions such as “In God We Trust” and “one nation under God” have long reminded people that the strength of a nation lies not only in its economy, military, or institutions, but also in whether it fears God, respects life, upholds the family, cherishes freedom, and assumes responsibility for the next generation.
The historic moment of America’s 250th anniversary also provides the Chinese community in the United States with an opportunity to rethink its own role. Many Chinese families have put down roots in America; their children are growing up here, their careers are developing here, and their education, faith, family, and community life are closely connected to this land. Therefore, commemorating Independence Day should not merely be about celebrating a holiday, but should also be a shared reflection on gratitude, responsibility, and contribution.
In recent years, President Trump has also repeatedly emphasized the importance of America’s faith tradition in public settings, calling on America, as it moves toward the next 250 years, to recommit itself to being “one nation under God.” This expression of faith also echoes the theme of this special prayer gathering: when the nation faces challenges, churches and believers are not merely bystanders, but should become watchmen, intercessors, and builders.
Pastor Xiao Mudao of Harvest Church of New York, the host church, stated that America’s future is closely connected to everyone who lives here. Today, American society is facing many challenges, including social division, moral confusion, pressure on families, difficulties in youth development, and tensions in community relationships. In the face of these realities, the Chinese community should not merely observe, complain, or remain silent, but should seriously ask: What can we do for this country? What kind of social environment do we hope to leave for the next generation? And how are we willing to participate in building America’s shared future?
Pastor Gu Qiwei, chairman of the New York Chinese Pastors Fellowship and organizer of this special prayer gathering, emphasized that a mature community should not only care about its own interests, but should also be willing to take responsibility for the well-being of the country in which it lives. Chinese Christians can begin by caring for their communities, participating in public life, supporting families and the next generation, and promoting understanding among different ethnic groups, responding to the needs of the times through practical action. Prayer is not merely a religious ritual; it is also a form of commitment to the nation, the community, and the next generation.
Rev. Chen Zhi, General Director of Chinese Christian Herald Crusades and co-organizer of the special prayer gathering, also emphasized the need to pray for New York. It is reported that more than 20 pastors will participate that day, praying together for America’s future, social harmony, family restoration, youth development, church revival, and understanding and unity among different ethnic groups. The organizers hope that through this cross-church and interdenominational gathering, the faith strength of the Chinese community will be brought together, encouraging more people to view the opportunities America has given immigrant families with gratitude and to participate in community building with a responsible attitude.
At this important moment as America marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, this prayer gathering is not only a commemorative event, but also a call. It reminds the Chinese community that we are not only beneficiaries of this land, but can also become a blessing to it; we not only live here, but should also contribute our part to its future.
This special Chinese cross-church and interdenominational prayer gathering, “America’s 250th Anniversary: Gratitude, Responsibility, and Contribution,” warmly invites Chinese friends who care about America’s future, families and the next generation, and community harmony to participate, joining together as watchmen for America and crying out for revival.
