OPINION: Yes, prayer matters, and America needs it now more than ever
Amid controversial comments by leftists condemning an outpouring of prayer across America after a tragic school shooting, the United States needs faith now more than ever
Opinion-editorial by Summer Lane | August 29, 2025
There is no America without God.
This is a historical reality echoed by some of the most well-known Founding Fathers, and whether one is religious or not, it’s impossible to deny the profound influence that faith had on the inception of this country and the culture today.
“You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ,” said President George Washington in a 1779 speech to Delaware tribal leaders.
“These will make you a greater and happier people than you are,” he continued.
This is a meaningful quote because it shows just how highly President Washington valued the faith-based foundation of America, and in championing that platform of morality to Delaware natives, he was encouraging them to unite with the newly formed nation in brotherly love and respect.
During the Constitutional Convention – where a great assembly of dynamic and spirited patriots came together to draw up what would become America’s most important document – Benjamin Franklin called for prayer.
“I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without [H]is notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without [H]is aid?” he declared.
Franklin begged his peers to make prayers “imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.”
There was a great sense of reverence and deep respect for faith in early American culture that would shape this nation for centuries to come.
And so it is not only deeply offensive – but disturbing – that some of today’s most radical left leaders are so willing to condemn this solemn practice in favor of making a cheap political argument.
Progressivism’s condemnation of faith
Following a tragic and abhorrent school shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this week, the nation grieved for precious lives lost and offered prayers for the children who were injured.
Former Biden White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki flippantly wrote on X, “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers.”
She’s not the only progressive to echo this sentiment. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, for example, remarked on MSNBC this week, “Prayers aren’t enough.”
These leftists are quick to negate the impact of prayer and even quicker to call for gun control – a political ploy that’s been used for decades, but in the age of social media, this reaction now draws considerable criticism, as it should.
Prayer matters
In response to Psaki’s comment this week, Vice President J.D. Vance hit back with a feisty remark of his own.
“We pray because our hearts are broken,” he wrote. “We pray because we know God listens. We pray because we know that God works in mysterious ways, and can inspire us to further action. Why do you feel the need to attack other people for praying when kids were just killed praying?”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt weighed in on Thursday, slamming Psaki’s mockery of an important part of many Americans’ lives. “I saw the comments of my predecessor, Ms. Psaki, and frankly, I think they’re incredibly insensitive and disrespectful to the tens of millions of Americans of faith across this country who believe in the power of prayer,” she said.
Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham also offered an excellent rebuttal to leftist screeching against prayer and faith: “Because someone calls for prayer doesn’t mean that bad things aren’t going to happen or that the emergency is going to disappear, we all know that. But prayer is our opportunity to communicate directly with the God of Heaven and take our petitions to Him. God does see, God does hear, and God can intervene,” he wrote.
He added, “…The Bible tells us that Jesus Himself prayed fervently when He was facing death on the cross. In the case of these students who were shot and killed while praying, God can give comfort and peace to the families who have been devastated.”
Prayer does not take the place of action, but it is an excellent initial response when tragedy or pain strikes.
Why do the left care about ‘action’ so much?
Leftists’ main goal in these types of situations seems to be to chip away at integral Second Amendment rights by playing on Americans’ heightened emotions after a tragedy. They might say prayer doesn’t work, and then emphasize how important it is to “take action” to save lives. They often immediately move to politicize these kinds of horrific events.
While first responders are administering much-needed aid on the ground and Americans everywhere are praying hard for safety and protection for those involved, left-wing commentators are usually focused on making it political.
It seems unthinkable that this could be anyone’s first response in the face of tragedy.
“If you’re a politician or a media commentator and two beautiful babies just got murdered while praying, and your politics force you to condemn prayer in response to it, you ought to get new politics because something very wrong has gone on inside your soul,” Vice President Vance told Fox News this week.
He’s right. It’s not a normal or healthy response to condemn prayer or faith in the wake of a tragedy like what happened this week in Minneapolis.
And with the world wrestling with so many different problems today and so many tragedies, America needs prayer now more than ever before. Prayer is not a stale or antiquated sentiment.
It is the bedrock upon which this nation was built, and to remain strong and united, Americans must continue to embrace it and stand unshaken against pervasive godlessness.
Photo: Adobe Stock
