Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
General Christian
Politics and Religion
America At 250: Are We Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer?

America At 250: Are We Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer?

Last updated on: July 4, 2026 at 8:41 am by Kathy King

America At 250: Are We Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer? 2026-07-04T08:41:23-04:00 Kathy King

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Image Courtesy of Canva Pro

“Prayer is our partnership with God in transforming history.” Unknown

America is about to be 250 years old. That in itself is amazing; the Founding Fathers’ grand experiment lives on to this day. She’s endured much, yet the flag still flies. In the 1940s, there was a song called: “Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer.” Its words seem very appropriate not only for the state of America today, but the whole world.

Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer

In 1943, with the war raging, Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh gave the nation a song about a battered bomber limping home — “Comin’ In on a Wing and a Prayer.” The image is of a crew that has lost an engine and can do only one thing: trust the Lord and keep flying. As the refrain puts it, “With a full crew aboard and our trust in the Lord — we’re comin’ in on a wing and a prayer.”

Those words seem appropriate not only for the state of America today, but for the whole world.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay

America Needs Prayer

Life looks dim at times; anxious silence and rage plow on, and each of us is scanning the horizon for some blue sky of peace to surround our lands. We are indeed sitting on a precipice of utter despair and coming in on a wing and a prayer. It’s time, dear Christian, to stop being part of the hatred problem in this country; now is the moment to come forth together in corporate prayer. After all, Scripture tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Let go of your harsh words, push away your hatred, stop living in the divisive apps that lead you astray, and start praying God’s Word for the Nations!

Where Do I Start?

Start by praying the Scriptures out loud. Why? Because Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord: Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people to not effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever; the plans of His heart to all generations.
Pray for our leaders to hear from God: I Timothy 2:1-6, 8: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
Let go of your anger and harsh words: Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ask God to help the words that come out of your mouth: Let the Words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and redeemer. Also, Psalm 141:3-Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. God can and will help when you ask.
If you still can’t find words or a prayer, the Holy Spirit will help you. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26.
Give your anxiety to God as many times a day (or minute) as it takes. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6.
Realize that there is nothing too difficult for God, even healing a nation. “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Image Courtesy of Canva Pro

God is bigger than any nation

Finally, our Awesome God, the Creator of the Universe, who spoke the world into existence, can heal our nation just as He has in the past. We’ve lost sight of His power; the church has lost its faith in the power of corporate prayer. We’ve lapsed into tribalism and echo chambers that have nothing to do with God’s ways or Word. Wake up! Church! We are indeed coming in on a wing and a prayer. It only takes a few people to make the decision to stop living in our bubble, give the enemy that kills, steals, and destroys the boot, and pray! I challenge you all in this 250th year to go before the Lord and ask that HIS will be done. Not the will of the news or talking heads, not what we think should be done, but what He, the Great I AM, says should be done.

Image Courtesy of Canva Pro

A Prayer for the Nation

Heavenly Father, creator of all. I come to You in the Mighty Name of Jesus, my all in all. I ask for Your forgiveness for my attitude and angry ways. I’ve said ugly words, thought ugly thoughts, and not pointed others to Your Way. There are times that I have no words for the leaders and those in charge. I can’t understand why others cannot see the evil that continues to unfold. I ask right now, in Your powerful name, to come and heal our nation; let us return to Your ways. Let us seek to love You with all our heart; let us love our neighbor as ourselves, not as an enemy that deserves my ire. I ask You to help me to love them through Your Holy Spirit, and temper my words. Set a guard, O Lord; keep watch over my mouth. Let me find my dwelling place in You, and fix my eyes on things that are true, honest, and just. Please search my heart and renew a right spirit within me; please fill me with Your peace. When I feel anxious, I ask that Your Spirit will give me soul release. Please speak to our leaders and all the inhabitants of the land. Let us look to You, the Great I AM, in the 250th year and know You are more powerful than any man. I trust You to move. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Selah

Contemplative

Politics and Religion

History and Religion

Previous Post

June 25, 2026

Is Therapy Culture Creating A Spiritually Dead Church?

Next Post

July 9, 2026 It's Time For Us To Tap Into The Power Of Prayer

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category abortion AI Allgemein Bible bravery brightsideoflife cats church Cornell 7 courage Department of War devotional disaster discipline Easter election empty nest Enoch Faith food forgiveness Generation Z gratitude grits health heartwarming holiness hope house of david joy Lent Lincoln Lindsay Clancy Maundy Thursday meditate music Nepal pause peace pentatonic scale Pentecost piano playful politics positive thinking prayer pro-choice pro-life resurrection seeker sensitive church share sin soul Southern Baptist stopping therapy trainyourmind Trump UFO Uncategorized Women's rights

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: In Revelation, Satan is bound in the Abyss for 500 years.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE