A Trump-backed prayer festival took place in D.C. Humidity and record heat is about to hit

the eastern US, and we'll meet a woman who keeps beating men at America's most punishing

running events. That's some of what we'll get to on the 7 from the Washington Post.

I'm Izin Akabaul, in for Hannah Joel.

It's Monday, May 18th.

Let's get you caught up with today's seven stories.

Number one, a crowd of thousands transformed a block of the National Mall into an evangelical

style worship service.

Yesterday's Rededicate 250 event was backed by President Donald Trump

and funded with millions of taxpayer dollars.

In an eight-hour lineup, speakers including top government officials

framed America as a country founded to be explicitly Christian.

House Speaker Mike Johnson preached about how America faces a new set of challenges in a new era,

claiming that, quote, sinister ideologies, so confusion and discord among our people.

These voices insist to the young and impressionable that our story, the American story, is one of

oppression and hypocrisy and failure, and that this story can only be understood through the

lens of our sins. But, Father, we reject that. We rebuke it. Trump, who is not known for quoting the Bible, read in a pre-taped video a passage from Scripture

in which God promises to heal the ancient Israelites if they agree to pray and humble themselves before God.

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.

The verses are often cited by those who believe America was founded as a Christian nation.

Until Trump's second term in office, it was virtually unheard of for US officials to publicly

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