Yoder: God, Bless America, Please
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).
What does it mean to ask God to bless America in a time of spiritual drift?
I love America. At first, it was a simple love because this is my birthplace, my home. Young and naïve, I didn’t realize I should thank the Lord for a country founded on religious freedom and the truth of the Bible. Our freedom is an incredible blessing we should never take for granted. Throughout our history, many gave their lives for this liberty. One was Nathan Hale, a teacher who joined his five brothers in the American Revolution. On September 22, 1776, at age 21, he was hanged for spying on British troops. His final words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” echo the sacrifice that secured our freedoms.
Yet, even as we cherish these hard-won liberties, we must acknowledge how our nation’s spiritual landscape is shifting. As a young adult, I was an adventurer at heart. Though I didn’t travel much, I spent two weeks in England over the Fourth of July. Homesickness hit hard. For the first time, I truly appreciated America—my home, my family, my way of life. That longing for America surfaces again today, not just for its landscapes but for its soul.
As we age, it’s easy to say, “When I was young, things were different.” Of course they were. Every culture evolves, often through technology. I remember my grandparents’ telephone party line, where you waited for neighbors to finish talking before making a call. Now, cell phones are like extensions of ourselves, always at hand.
These cultural shifts, driven by technology and media, have reshaped how our children encounter faith. We can no longer assume most children grow up knowing Jesus. Research from George Barna’s Cultural Research Center reveals that only 36% of 8- to 12-year-olds believe Jesus is the only way to salvation, and just 1% of teenagers hold a biblical worldview. Media, not parents or churches, often shapes their beliefs. Barna notes that a child’s worldview begins forming as early as 15 months and is nearly set by age 13, making these years critical. He urges parents to model faith through actions and monitor media exposure. I recently spoke with a friend who was frustrated that her adult children weren’t helping her more, citing biblical values. When I asked if they grew up knowing Jesus, she admitted they lacked a personal relationship with Him. Parents must teach children to find their moral compass in the Bible, not in society or social media, which can eclipse God’s truth.
When children grow up without a biblical foundation, our nation becomes vulnerable to ideologies that stray from the truths of our founding. God Bless America is more than a song—it’s a prayer, a hope, a plea from the soul. “Lord, please bless America in this moment.”
Life can change in an instant—through a flood, a fire, a car accident, or illness. So can freedom. We must never take for granted the liberties we enjoy, which can erode slowly, unnoticed, until they shift dramatically. How do we ask God to bless America? By forgetting Him? By removing prayer from schools? By seeking solutions from others instead of our Creator and Redeemer?
Forces seek to erode our freedoms, threatening the legacy of veterans who sacrificed everything. Thankfully, God offers a path forward. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Lord tells Solomon, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and heal their land.” This promise is for believers today. If our nation falters, we must pray, repent, and seek God’s forgiveness to heal our land.
God calls us to freedom—not just from oppression, but from sin. If you don’t know Jesus, you can ask Him to be your Lord today: “I know I’m a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. Forgive me, Lord, and be the Lord of my life.” If you’re a believer but have grown complacent, recommit today. Pray, seek God, and submit to His guidance.
As we honor those who went before us, especially our veterans, let’s commit to being one nation under God. How? By repenting of our sins and praying, “God, bless America, please.”
Kathy Yoder is a devotional writer and Christian author. Contact her at Kathyyoder4@gmail.com or Kathyyoder.com.
