Mike Johnson used the National Day of Prayer to deliver a bold message about America’s founding principles, telling lawmakers and religious leaders gathered at the U.S. Capitol that the nation’s rights come not from government, but from God Himself.

Speaking Thursday during the 75th annual National Day of Prayer observance in Statuary Hall, Johnson described the Declaration of Independence as “our national statement of faith” and urged Americans to remember the spiritual foundation on which the country was built.

“We boldly proclaimed the self-evident truth that our rights do not come from government, they come from God Himself,” Johnson said. “He is the One that has endowed us with our inalienable rights, that among those the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The annual event brought together dozens of lawmakers, pastors, and ministry leaders for prayer and worship on Capitol Hill. Johnson emphasized that faith and prayer have been woven throughout the nation’s history since its earliest days.

“Prayer has been a part of our DNA since the very beginning,” he said. “We are a praying nation.”

Johnson pointed to moments ranging from the Pilgrims’ first harvest at Plymouth to prayers spoken on Revolutionary War battlefields and by pioneers heading westward. He argued that America’s success and freedom are deeply connected to its acknowledgment of God.

“Right there in the second paragraph of the nation’s birth certificate, it summarizes our national statement of faith,” Johnson said of the Declaration of Independence. “The founders made that bold declaration, and that was the foundation that made us become the most free, most successful, most powerful and most benevolent nation in the history of the planet.”

The speaker’s remarks came as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Johnson said the milestone should serve as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on “the great moral inheritance” passed down through generations.

This year’s National Day of Prayer theme was “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations,” inspired by 1 Chronicles 16:24: “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.”

Kathy Branzell explained that the theme reflects King David’s prayer of thanksgiving after bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem.

“In 2026, our theme is inspired by a passionate prayer of Thanksgiving,” Branzell said, noting the biblical account reminds believers of God’s enduring presence and faithfulness across generations.

Johnson’s comments also revived an ongoing debate over the source of human rights in America. Last year, Tim Kaine sparked controversy after arguing during a Senate hearing that rights come from government and laws rather than from God.

Kaine claimed that grounding rights in a Creator could resemble the reasoning used by authoritarian religious governments. His comments drew criticism from legal scholars and constitutional advocates, including Jonathan Turley, who warned that rights granted solely by government can also be taken away by government.

“What government giveth, government can take away,” Turley wrote at the time, defending the founders’ belief in natural rights.

For many Christians gathered at the Capitol this week, Johnson’s remarks served as a reminder that faith continues to play a significant role in the nation’s identity — and that prayer remains central to how many Americans seek guidance for the country’s future.