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“As my director and I were praying over different sections of scripture, it came to us that this is such a critical passage for the body of Christ,” she added.
According to Pounds, the passage holds a unique place in American spiritual tradition, especially verse 14, which has been invoked repeatedly during national moments of crisis and reflection.
“It comes at a time where the Israelites were experiencing hardship and God spoke and said, ‘If my people that are called by my name would humble themselves and pray,’” Pounds said. “We’ve prayed this scripture for at least the last 50 years of American history on National Day of Prayer and other moments in this country.”
The well-known verse reads:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Organizers say Trump was their first choice to deliver this particular reading, viewing the role as one that carries both symbolic and cultural weight.
“And so we instantly said — who needs to read that? The President of the United States,” Pounds said. “We set it aside for him and have been praying for that for the last year.”
Supporters of the initiative argue that Trump’s involvement goes beyond ceremony and reflects a broader message about the role of faith in American life today.
“I think he’s sending a message that faith matters in this country, and that it’s important not only personally, but for our nation overall,” Pounds said.
Trump’s segment has already been recorded in advance, with organizers emphasizing the tone and delivery of the message.
“They’re going to see how passionate he is about it, how deliberate he was,” she said. “It really struck me to see the leader of the free world reading scripture from the Oval Office.”
“There’s a humility on him… and I don’t believe that he would have read it if he didn’t believe it,” she added.
The readings will be conducted using the King James Version Easy Read edition, a detail organizers say helps ensure accessibility while maintaining traditional language.
Trump will not be the only high-profile participant. Other figures scheduled to take part include Mike Huckabee, Mike Johnson, and Ben Carson. Additional appearances are expected from state leaders such as Greg Abbott and senior White House officials including Susie Wiles.
In a written message tied to the event, Trump emphasized what he described as the enduring role of Scripture in shaping the nation’s identity.
“From Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World and the first permanent English-speaking settlement at Jamestown to our founding in 1776 and to the present day, the Bible has been indelibly woven into our national identity and way of life,” Trump wrote.
He also referenced early American history and the vision of a faith-driven society, citing the words of John Winthrop.
“Nearly 400 years ago, a decade after the arrival of the Mayflower, the legendary John Winthrop powerfully invoked Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: ‘We must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us,’ Winthrop said, imploring his fellow Christian settlers to stand as a beacon of faith for all the world to see,” Trump wrote.
Trump concluded his message by tying the past to the present, calling on Americans to reflect on what he described as foundational values.
“In every generation, through every trial and triumph, God’s Word has guided our people and our country to incredible new heights,” Trump wrote, adding that “the America Reads the Bible initiative invites all citizens to once again acknowledge our Nation’s extraordinary Biblical foundations and to give thanks for the countless ways in which God has been the sacred source of our unity and national strength.”
As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, the event is shaping up to be more than a reading. For many involved, it is being framed as a national moment — one blending faith, history, and politics into a single stage watched by millions.
