We live in anxious and dangerous times. Throughout history, in times like these, our leaders relied on God.

General George Washington prayed at Valley Forge with his troops, exhausted, shoeless, and facing the powerful British army. Americans North and South prayed during the carnage of the Civil War, during which 600,000 men fell in combat in a war to end the sin of slavery. Franklin Delano Roosevelt—FDR—led the country in prayer on national radio on D-Day to rescue Europe from Hitler and the Nazis.

Sadly, America is not as Christian today as we have been in the past. This is troubling, and we are weaker because of it. We need God’s hand of protection now more than ever. There are signs of a budding revival, thankfully—only time will tell.

Here’s the good news. Our current government in Washington, D.C., has many leaders who believe in the power of praying to the God of the Bible—the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and, of course, our Savior, Jesus.

Recently, I was blessed to represent the James Dobson Family Institute and join a small group of Christians for a private meeting in the Oval Office with the president of the United States. We wanted to encourage the president and pray for him and our country. We were there at a time when President Trump is carrying the heaviest burden any president has to endure—entrusting the lives of our brave men and women in uniform in a military conflict to protect the United States of America.

We gathered around Trump, and he bowed his head. Some of my colleagues laid their hands on him as together we prayed for his wisdom and strength. Just a few days later, the president, the first lady, Vice President Vance, and Secretary of War Hegseth all joined grieving families at Andrews Air Force Base to receive home the bodies of six heroes who fell in the early days of Operation Epic Fury.

While in the White House, I reminded my colleagues that 250 years ago this month, as war with the British Empire became inevitable, the Continental Congress called the colonies to prayer and fasting. Our Founding Fathers asked our heavenly Father:

“May it please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the Continental arms, by sea and land, with victory and success.”¹

Later, when we had won the war and elected George Washington as our first president, he thanked God in his inaugural address.

President Trump’s team includes many followers of Christ. Prayer groups and Bible studies are numerous throughout the administration. For example: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth began a recent press conference by speaking directly to our men and women in uniform serving in the Middle East. He said, “May Almighty God watch over you and His providential arms of protection extend over you. Godspeed, warriors, and keep going.”²

A surprised reporter wanted more details about Hegseth’s prayers. I am glad that at least the reporter was interested. We’re living at a time when secular left-wing politicians and Hollywood celebrities tell us they are sick and tired of our thoughts and prayers. They mock prayer and ridicule Christians when we say we are praying in times of trouble and danger.

I was encouraged to hear Secretary Hegseth’s response. He told the reporter he prays for our troops every day, and disclosed that his wife and family also pray for them. In fact, President Trump’s whole cabinet prays for our troops, often led by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner. They pray over other difficult decisions, too.

Secretary Hegseth assured the reporter, “None of this is done on a whim,” and that every military recommendation offered to the president is “made prayerfully.” He added that he also asks God “for the biblical wisdom to seek what is right and the courage to do it.” He explained, “It’s going to take courage to follow through on this.”³

Secretary Hegseth is right. Every president for the past thirty years has said Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. But none of them actually did anything to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program. They kicked the can down the road while the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism pursued weapons of mass destruction.

I thank God that we have leaders today who pray and also act. All Christians should do the same. We should all pray for God’s blessing and protection over our military, our leaders, and our country.

1. Continental Congress, Proclamation for a Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, March 16, 1776.
2. Pete Hegseth, press briefing on Operation Epic Fury, Department of Defense press conference, March 2026.
3. Pete Hegseth, press briefing at the Pentagon, Department of Defense, March 2026.