The prayers that shaped a nation can save it again



I’ve often wondered what our Founding Fathers would think of their great American experiment. Imagine George Washington strolling down the Las Vegas Strip, Thomas Jefferson riding the Tennessee Tornado at Dollywood, or John Adams catching a “throwed roll” at Lamberts in Missouri.

Would they be awestruck by the Independence Day fireworks in New York City? Or cheer at the Super Bowl? Would they marvel at the soaring Gateway Arch in St. Louis? Or the majesty of the Rocky Mountains? Would Betsy Ross wash down a Moon Pie with an R.C. Cola?

‘The greatness of America doesn’t begin in Washington,’ Ronald Reagan said. ‘It begins with each of you — in the mighty spirit of free people under God.’

On the last day of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked if we had a republic or a monarchy?

“A republic, if you can keep it,” he was said to reply.

Without a doubt, America is the most exceptional nation in the world. In the face of great adversity and insurmountable odds, we have overcome. And we have been blessed.

And that’s why I set out on a mission with my friend Michelle Cox to write “Star-Spangled Blessings: Devotions for Patriots.”

It’s a collection of stories about how God has lavished our country with a bounty of star-spangled blessings.

That’s not to say that our great nation has not been through some squabbles. We’ve had more than a few — and some were doozies. We’ve made lots of mistakes, but we’ve also righted many wrongs.

Perseverance is a word that has defined us over the years. Franklin Roosevelt announcing to the nation about a date that would live in infamy. Walter Cronkite relaying to the nation a shocking bulletin from Dallas. President George W. Bush standing on a pile of rubble at Ground Zero with a bullhorn.

Yet, amid great tragedy, our nation has always found strength in almighty God — our defender and our protector.

President Trump knows of that strength, that divine intervention. He survived not one but two assassination attempts.

“Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason. And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness, and now we are going to fulfill that mission together,” he said during a speech in 2024.

I vividly recall watching as the shots rang out in Butler County, Pennsylvania. My heart stopped as Trump dropped to the stage. But then, he rose up, and with blood streaming down his face, he thrust his fist into the air and shouted, “Fight, fight, fight!”

President Trump would then urge Americans to read their Bibles, to get back to church, and to pray.

“Let’s make America pray again,” he said.

The president caught quite a bit of grief from the atheists and the Democrats for that altar call.

“Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country, and I truly believe that we need to bring them back, and we have to bring them back fast,” the president said at the time. “I think it's one of the biggest problems we have. That’s why our country is going haywire. We've lost religion in our country. All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It's my favorite book. It's a lot of people's favorite book.”

Now, that’ll preach, as we say back home in Tennessee.

RELATED: The art of prayer: How to unleash its power

Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Sure, we have lost our way in this country. We’ve been so focused on taking back Congress and the White House that we forgot to take care of our homes and our communities.

Ronald Reagan said it best in 1984 when he told the nation that “the greatness of America doesn’t begin in Washington. It begins with each of you — in the mighty spirit of free people under God, in the bedrock values you live by each day in your families, neighborhoods, and workplaces.”

As I write in “Star-Spangled Blessings,” we must return to the faith of our founders. A faith that compelled George Washington to pray on bended knee at Valley Forge.

A faith that compelled John Adams to petition the almighty to bless those who resided in the White House. A faith that compelled Franklin Roosevelt to ask Americans to pray for a spiritual awakening.

It’s that sort of American spirit that has resonated with people across the fruited plain. These are moments that define us as a nation.

Lee Greenwood, the singer-songwriter who penned “God Bless the USA,” is a friend of mine, and his anthem to the land of the free and the home of the brave still brings a tear to my eye as I write these words from the hills of Tennessee.

And I suspect that if America’s founders were here today, they would love this land from sea to shining sea. And they would join their fellow countrymen in asking God to bless the USA.

'I was dating a witch': UFC's Bryce Mitchell says he turned to Christianity after being with a 'fully possessed' woman



Controversial UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell revealed that it was a "possessed" woman who pushed him into accepting faith in his life.

The featherweight has become a controversial figure ever since he made remarks about World War II and Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany.

However, Mitchell has seemed a bit more subdued in public appearances as of late, and he garnered positive fan feedback during exchanges with upcoming opponent Jean Silva when he refused to back down from the Brazilian's insults.

Silva started "F*** Bryce Mitchell" chants, told him to calm down, and even barked at Mitchell.

Mitchell retorted by telling Silva he was "barking up the wrong tree, motherf***er," which turned the crowd's boos toward Mitchell into raucous cheers. The Arkansas fighter also accused Silva being "a man possessed by a legion of demons."

Last week, Mitchell appeared on light heavyweight fighter Anthony's Smith's podcast, "On Paper with Anthony Smith," where the two spoke about their Christian faith.

'Since then, my eyes have been completely open to the spirit realm.'

"You've really accepted faith into your life, and there's just a change," Smith began. "Like a change in the way that you live your life and the things that you're caring about more. What fostered that change? Was there one individual thing that kind of ... brought you to that side?"

From there Mitchell revealed that he became more spiritual after dating a "witch."

"Oh, absolutely. I mean, almost all the listeners probably have heard my testimony, but, yeah, I was dating a witch. She became fully possessed with destroying my life, and then I casted her out in the name of Jesus."

Mitchell continued, "Since then, my eyes have been completely open to the spirit realm, and I know that everything around us is actually spiritual. I mean, this is how weird it actually is. Like, I can't explain everything, but I have this sense of connection with stuff."

The 30-year-old went on to tell the host that God was sending him signals to contact him days ahead of their interview.

"It was God just saying, 'Hey. Text Anthony or say something to Anthony.' And I was like, 'No. I'm training, and I know he's training.'"

After two days of Mitchell getting what he felt were divine nudges to contact Smith, it was actually Smith who messaged him on the third day and asked to speak with him.

Mitchell was realistic about his thoughts though and admitted he "can't prove" what he felt.

"I can't prove it. There's no math, mathematics, or science that can prove that, but I'm just telling you, bro."

Mitchell added that he felt his prayers for Smith might have been what brought the two together for their conversation.

In the cage, Mitchell will fight Silva in the third to main event at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, Florida. Mitchell won his last fight in December with a knockout of Kron Gracie in the third round.

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Restoring America: Faithful citizens celebrate a divine reprieve



The scripture verse that came to mind on the morning of Nov. 6 was Psalm 126:3 (NIV):

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

In the months leading up to the election, I had been reading through the Old Testament. As I studied Kings and Chronicles, I noticed a pattern: When Israel’s kings followed God’s law, their nation thrived. But when they turned to worship false gods like Ashtoreth and Baal, their nation suffered curses.

The fundamental transformation of America may finally have been derailed, and now the work of foundational restoration can begin.

Over the past three and a half years, our country has experienced a significant decline. A win by the Democratic Party — whether by fair means or otherwise — seemed likely to accelerate that downward spiral with the continuation and expansion of its policies. For now, however, we appear to have a reprieve. This moment may depend on our nation’s willingness to return to the God who loves and cares for us.

I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster. (verse 3)

He [the Lord] does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. (verse 9)

I had been praying for miracles throughout this election season — long before the assassination attempt on July 13 — and it seems clear that God controlled events in ways beyond coincidence. Donald Trump has demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of relentless attacks from a determined deep state. Against all odds, Trump has not only emerged victorious but may now hold a legendary place in history.

The events since his near-death experience in mid-July may have profoundly changed Trump’s character. Those who listened to his speech in the early hours of Nov. 6 likely noticed a newfound tone of humility.

Two scripture verses seem to speak directly to what Trump’s adversaries have schemed and unleashed against him:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)

And Joseph’s words to his brothers who sold him into slavery, only to later find him in a position of power in Egypt, blessing them:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:20, NLT)

Is America “out of the woods” because of this election’s results? Will Christians, Jews, and people of goodwill celebrate a great victory today only to return to complacency tomorrow? Let’s hope not. Can anyone deny that our lack of vigilance allowed evil influences to blindside us? Like the proverbial frog in slowly boiling water, we almost woke up too late.

The pastors I have spoken with or watched on television agree: The 2024 election was not the finish line — it marks the starting point.

We must continue praying for the new administration. Pray for wisdom and steadfastness as they work to purge evil from our nation and promote righteousness across society and culture.

The fundamental transformation of America may finally have been derailed, and now the work of foundational restoration can begin.

As our Founding Fathers declared in the Declaration of Independence, “with a firm reliance on Divine Providence,” we can succeed in restoring true freedom and responsibility to America. In doing so, we can also renew hope and inspiration for nations around the globe.

Editor's note: A version of this article appeared originally at Stream.org.

No, God Wasn’t Making A Political Statement By Sparing Trump

Conflating religion and politics does an injustice to both.

Jesus Christ Is Donald Trump’s Security Detail

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-16-at-11.34.35 AM-1200x675.png crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-16-at-11.34.35%5Cu202fAM-1200x675.png%22%7D" expand=1]Trump's assassination escape is direct and clear evidence that, yes, there is a God, and He divinely intervenes in human affairs.