During Easter week this year, the halls of American power echoed with prayer and praise.
Hearts were moved.
Lives were touched.
Jesus Christ was honored.
This is the new reality.
It was unlike any other Easter week ever in Washington, D.C.
This wasn’t just the usual Easter egg roll or a simple Sunday service—something much bigger happened.
It was a full week of celebrating Jesus Christ and His resurrection through multiple places, events, and talks.
You likely didn’t hear about it from the biased media, and sadly, most churches didn’t mention it either.
But it did happen.
Franklin Graham prayed for a spiritual revival in the halls of power. (See #2 below.)
Pastor Jentezen Franklin delivered an emotional message about God’s hand at work. (See #3 below.)
And Pastor Greg Laurie brought Scripture right into the White House itself. (See #5 below.)
Here are 6 surprising realities you won’t hear in the media—and that, unfortunately, most pastors won’t tell you:
Reality #1: President Trump honors Christ by declaring Easter week “Holy Week.”
In a bold move, President Donald Trump officially declared Easter week “Holy Week,” honoring the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He and First Lady Melania Trump opened the White House to celebrate our Savior in ways unseen in recent memory.
They turned the People’s House into God’s House for the week—welcoming worship, prayer, and Scripture within its walls.
From Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, the nation’s capital was alive with the spirit of Holy Week.
Each day brought something new: prayer gatherings, worship services and powerful talks about Jesus. For once, Washington’s focus was on Christ, not politics.
Reality #2: Franklin Graham celebrates the return of faith to DC – “Spiritual Drought” no more.
The President kicked off Holy Week on Wednesday with a first-of-its-kind Easter dinner and prayer service in the Blue Room at the White House.
This was no ordinary political dinner—it was filled with praise and worship.
A Liberty University choir sang hymns, the Marine Corps Band played uplifting music, and Christian singer Charles Billingsley performed soul-stirring songs.
Dozens of prominent pastors, ministry leaders, and faithful Americans from across the country joined the First Family for an evening of praise like none other.
Pastors and faith leaders offered prayers and messages throughout the evening.
It was an historic scene: prominent ministers proclaiming the Gospel and praying over the nation’s leaders right in the Blue Room of the White House.
The atmosphere was electric with joy and reverence. Attendees prayed together, lifted up the name of Jesus, and even shared tears of gratitude.
It felt as if the White House itself had become a church, if only for that night. Long-time observers said they’d never seen anything quite like it in D.C. – a President boldly worshiping the Lord and welcoming others to do the same under his roof.
Evangelist Franklin Graham celebrated what he sees as the return of faith in our government.
Graham – who leads Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – was invited to lead in prayer at the White House Easter dinner.
He thanked President Trump for bringing God back to center stage in Washington, and rejoiced that the White House was publicly honoring Christ’s resurrection again.
For years, faith had been pushed to the sidelines in our nation’s capital – but no more.
Graham noted that the President’s official proclamation of Holy Week sent a clear message that Jesus is welcome in the halls of power.
“I think I can speak on behalf of all of us how grateful we are for you, your leadership, and standing tall, standing firm,” Graham told the President. “There’s been a spiritual drought in this city the last few years and in this house. And so I’m very grateful for the Easter declaration that you put out.”
Graham prayed that “many people this Easter would turn from their sins and…believe on the name of [God’s] Son” as a result of this bold witness.
Reality #3: Pastor Jentezen Franklin spoke of God’s hand, resurrection power, and gave a heartfelt plea for faith.
Pastor Franklin of Free Chapel in Georgia delivered an emotional message at the White House Easter dinner, highlighting God’s hand at work and the power of Christ’s Resurrection.
He thanked President Trump for taking time out of a busy schedule to host this Holy Week celebration.
“We see all that you do, all your family goes through, and we’re so thankful,” Franklin said sincerely, expressing gratitude for the President’s sacrifices and leadership.
He drew a vivid parallel to the Bible. Franklin reminded everyone how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples during Holy Week – serving others with humility and love.
In the same way, this White House Easter event was about service and honor. It wasn’t a political rally; it was an act of worship and a gesture of servant leadership.
Then Franklin’s tone grew excited as he described what he’s witnessing in churches right now.
“There’s a movement going on in our churches, Mr. President… God is moving in this nation mightily, and we’re thankful for that,” he proclaimed.
Franklin’s message turned personal and urgent. Speaking to those who are hurting and searching, he pleaded, “You need Jesus. He’s not a religion to us… He bled, and He died, and He rose from the dead to give us all that blessed hope.”
This pastor’s heart was on full display. He then led everyone in a heartfelt prayer, asking God to place a “bubble of protection” over President Trump and his family and to give them wisdom and favor.
“Let Your goodness and mercy reign in this nation like never before,” Franklin prayed.
It was a powerful, defining moment: an impassioned plea for America to return to Jesus Christ, starting from the top down.
Reality #4: President Trump gives White House tour to Easter dinner attendees.
President Trump even gave the pastors and guests a special surprise after dinner: a personal tour of the White House residence.
He led faith leaders upstairs, showing them the historic family quarters and even the famous Lincoln Bedroom.
Imagine a group of pastors walking the halls where presidents have lived, praying and marveling at God’s providence in our nation’s history!
This gesture by the President spoke volumes. It showed that his outreach to people of faith wasn’t just for show—he truly considers them friends and partners in restoring America’s soul.
Reality #5: Pastor Greg Laurie brought Scripture and resurrection hope to White House staff.
Pastor Greg Laurie, leader of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California, was another key part of the Easter Week events.
He had the honor of participating in the White House’s first-ever Holy Week worship service for staff on Thursday in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB).
Laurie led prayer and read Scripture, bringing the hope of the resurrection directly into the heart of government.
He was deeply moved by what he saw, describing the night as memorable—a “powerful moment” where Christ-centered worship and prayer filled the nation’s highest office.
Think about that: the sound of praise songs ringing out in the White House!
It was especially striking given that last year’s White House Easter was marked by a proclamation of Transgender Day of Visibility instead of any Christian observance.
The contrast could not be greater.
Regarding President Trump, Pastor Laurie noted how encouraging it is to have a national leader so openly embracing faith in Jesus.
He said it’s refreshing to see a President unashamed to proclaim the Gospel and to humble himself in prayer.
Laurie also urged believers to pray that every action taken in this new environment would honor God. He wants all of us to “honor God in all we say and do, and…point people to Jesus Christ.”
In his eyes, what’s happening now at the White House is nothing short of a beacon of hope.
After the darkness of previous years, the light of Christ is shining brightly in our government again—and Pastor Greg Laurie wants us to keep that light lifted high.
Rev. Franklin Graham also delivered a stirring Gospel message to the officials and staff in attendance, urging them not to trust in power or wealth, but in Jesus Christ alone.
He even shared his personal testimony of brokenness and redemption through Christ, making the Gospel call deeply personal.
When Graham finished speaking, something extraordinary happened: the staff spontaneously rose to their feet singing “Amazing Grace.”
Men and women who serve our country stood with voices united in that beloved hymn: “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see…”
Those words echoed through the corridors of government offices. It was a moment unlike anything Washington has seen in decades.
In the heart of the bureaucracy, Jesus was praised openly, and no one was shy about it. The so-called “seat of power” was bowing before a higher Power, and you could feel the walls of secularism trembling.
Reality #6: President Trump’s Powerful Easter Message Lights the Way – “He Is Risen”
President Trump did address the gathering himself, delivering a powerful Easter message that shined a light on hope and truth.
He spoke not as a politician at a podium, but as a man honoring his Savior.
In his remarks, the President recounted the events of that first Holy Week with a reverent tone.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, he explained, Jesus Christ—the Son of God—was betrayed, arrested, beaten, and crucified.
“For our sake, He gave up His life,” President Trump said, painting the picture of the cross.
But that wasn’t the end of the story.
With joy, he continued: “Three days later, Christ’s followers found the empty tomb. Jesus had defeated darkness and death and promised new life to all of humankind.”
That, he declared, “is what we celebrate each year at Easter, as we joyfully proclaim on Sunday: ‘He is risen.’”
The room erupted with “He is risen indeed!” — Amens and applause followed.
Think about that: an American President proclaiming “He is risen,” and an audience of pastors, officials, and guests responding like a congregation on Easter morning!
It was a beautiful, spontaneous chorus of agreement. Yes, He is risen indeed!
Those words rang out strong and true in the White House, emphasizing that this gathering was not about any man, but about Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God.
President Trump quoted Billy Graham during his talk, reminding everyone of a profound truth.
“God proved His love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you,’” Trump read, sharing the beloved quote from evangelist Billy Graham.
You could hear a hush of awe in the room.
The President himself was visibly moved as he spoke those words. It’s not often we hear our nation’s leader speak so openly of Christ’s sacrifice and God’s love. But this night was different.
Then President Trump shifted to how these eternal truths guide us today. He emphasized that America’s strength comes from our trust in God, not from any government or office.
With conviction, he declared that we must not forget the true source of our joy and our strength. Because of that, he said, his administration is working to honor God in policy as well as in prayer.
For example, the creation of a White House Faith Office and a special DOJ task force were highlighted as steps to eliminate anti-Christian bias in our country.
President Trump wants to ensure that people of faith are protected and welcomed, not silenced.
He’s making faith a priority at the highest level of government—something we haven’t seen in a very long time.
He vowed to stop radical indoctrination in America’s schools and culture, insisting on a return to common sense and Judeo-Christian values .
This President is not afraid to take heat for doing what’s right.
He is supporting school choice and parental rights. He is defending the innocence of our children.
He even moved to protect young girls by barring biological males from women’s sports, affirming the biblical truth that “God created two genders: male and female.”
In short, he’s putting a stop to the far-left agendas that confuse our kids and undermine our faith.
These bold policy stands drew enthusiastic cheers from the faith leaders in attendance.
It wasn’t just politeness—it was genuine excitement. Many in the room felt that they were witnessing the answers to years of prayer.
For so long, Christians had hoped for a leader who would not only talk about faith but also act on it. Now, in that very room, those hopes were becoming reality.
The administration’s commitment to defending religious liberty, protecting life and family, and keeping God in the public square sent a clear signal: Faith is back at the center of American public life.
The people shouted their approval, not as an audience praising a politician, but as believers praising God for what He is doing.
What do you think? Email me at [email protected].