DC NUCLEAR PRAYER DAY

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.

Join us on August 6 in Washington, DC to mark Nuclear Prayer Day, a global prayerful commemoration of these anniversaries and to 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. Let us gather in prayer and call on lawmakers to choose the grace of helping life to flourish, instead of the greed of funding more war and weapons.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Thursday, August 6
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: The front steps of the United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 (rain location: Chapel in the UM Building)

This event will feature 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.

Congressional Video Statements

In this video, you can view Rep. McGovern’s remarks for last year’s Nuclear Prayer Day Vigil, affirming his support for nuclear abolition. Rep. McGovern (D-MA-2) is the lead sponsor for H. Res. 317, the congressional Back from the Brink resolution, urging the U.S. to lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war and halt and reverse the nuclear arms race.

We’ll populate this section with additional video statements from members of Congress as we receive them for this year’s vigil.

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.

DC Vigil Cosponsors

DC Nuclear Prayer Day Vigil is cosponsored by All Souls Unitarian Church, American Friends Service Committee, Arms Control Association, Back from the Brink Coalition, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Northwest Against Nuclear Weapons, Pax Christi USA, Presbyterian Church (USA), SojoAction, The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society, and United Church of Christ.

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.