DC NUCLEAR PRAYER DAY
81st Anniversaries of Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
August 6 and 9, 2026 mark 81 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We must honor the legacy of the victims and survivors of the attacks and commit ourselves to ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Prayer Day was held on August 6, 2026 — a global prayerful commemoration of these anniversaries and a call for a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons. As the Pentagon and DHS budgets continue to increase to modernize nuclear weapons, fight unpopular wars, and detain our neighbors, people in power are cutting services that our communities actually need, like food assistance, healthcare, and education. Attendees gathered in prayer and called on lawmakers to choose the grace of helping life to flourish, instead of the greed of funding more war and weapons.
The event featured prayers for justice and a nuclear-free world, reflections from faith leaders and the nuclear disarmament and larger justice community, music, and calls to action to support legislative measures and educational efforts to build a movement to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race.
For those interested in reading more about the event, Back from the Brink’s Danny Hall has also written a blog post: 81 Years Later: A Vigil of Memory, Witness, and the Work of Abolition.
One-Click Advocacy Tools
Quick, impactful actions you can take right now. These tools make it simple to send tailored messages to your elected officials—supporting key legislation like H. Res. 317 and S. Res. 323 in just a few clicks.
Faith-Based Resource Guide
A collection of interfaith reflections, prayers, and action steps grounded in spiritual traditions. Use this guide in congregational settings, advocacy circles, or personal study to deepen engagement. It includes the Pray–Reflect–Act framework and a Back from the Brink Beginner’s Guide—a foundational resource for developing a comprehensive understanding of the nuclear weapons issue and how it intersects with justice, security, and moral responsibility.
Congressional Video Statements
Hear directly from Members of Congress who affirm their support for nuclear abolition. These short videos are ideal for sharing in your faith community, on social media, and with local legislators.
DC Vigil Cosponsors
DC Nuclear Prayer Day Vigil is cosponsored by All Souls Church Unitarian of Washington, DC, American Friends Service Committee, Arms Control Association, Back from the Brink Coalition, Disciples Center for Public Witness (Disciples of Christ), Disciples Justice Action Network, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Northwest Against Nuclear Weapons Coalition, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Office of Peacebuilding & Policy, Church of the Brethren, Pax Christi USA, Presbyterian Church (USA), Office of Public Witness, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team, Sojourners / SojoAction, Soka Gakkai International – USA, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, United Church of Christ, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US, and Washington PSR.
Nuclear Prayer Day is organized by Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons (a part of the United Religions Initiative) and invites all individuals of good will and all organizations of concern to draw strength from each one’s deepest convictions and longings for a better future on Nuclear Prayer Day, August 6.