America’s 250th: An Oasis of Patriotism
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America’s 250th: An Oasis of Patriotism
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I was born in the year 2000. I grew up in a world of what I would call unstoppable American optimism.
The nuclear family was commonplace. Every friend of mine in the suburbs had two parents, a man and a woman. Race relations seemed to be at an all-time high. The community I grew up in seemed colorblind. Christian values were understood and accepted as fact. Everyone I knew, even those who were less religious, subscribed to the same general biblical morality that my churchgoing family did.
Who is praying on the wall?
Above all else, people were patriotic. It didn’t matter if you were a Republican or a Democrat, a Christian or a Muslim, an immigrant or a native-born citizen. Everyone had an American flag or two lying around their home. Everybody cheered at their town’s Independence Day parade. Everybody learned about American history and, with the exception of a select few, agreed on the basics: America may have made mistakes in the past, but it was and is undoubtedly the greatest nation on earth.
Over time, however, this romantic, patriotic culture slowly disappeared, leaving in its place an ugly, toxic, anti-American sentiment.
My mother tells me that this started when Obama was elected. According to her, he burned through much of this patriotic optimism, attacking Christians and fanning the dying flames of racial hatred. However, I first noticed this change when President Trump was elected for the first time. That November, I remember seeing some of my friends post on social media that he was #notmypresident.
This confused me. We were all American, how could he not be your president? President Trump was the president, just as Obama was the president before him. Little did I know, however, that the Republican outsider’s victory would usher in a wave of anti-American hatred unlike anything I had ever seen.
Protests. Riots. Violence. Destruction. President Trump’s victory unmasked an army of vicious anti-American radicals. The more “woke” America got, the less common patriotism became. I think this era of anti-American sentiment peaked when, in 2021, a Black Lives Matter chapter called the American flag a “symbol of hate.” This wasn’t the Confederate flag, but an actual, run-of-the-mill, honest-to-God American flag.
In recent years, love for America has become a partisan issue, and “patriot” has become a dirty word. In fact, recent polling suggests that patriotism is falling across the board. According to a recent poll, in 2004, 70% of Americans said that they were “extremely proud” to be American. In 2026, however, that number fell to just 33%. Meanwhile, the number of people who claim to be “not at all proud” or “only a little proud” to be an American has climbed from virtually 0% decades ago to 24% today. In other words, only 1 in 3 people are proud to be American, while nearly 1 in 4 people display outright contempt for their country.
America’s 250th anniversary, however, brings a glimmer of hope.
A 250th anniversary only comes around once, and many are taking notice. Politicians are talking more about what it means to be an American. Local businesses are celebrating the occasion. American flags have once again become commonplace.
Even capitalism has turned a new patriotic leaf. Major brands are releasing limited-edition products and services to celebrate the 250th. The other day, while I was grocery shopping, a 6-pack of America’s 250th-themed beer caught my eye. Perhaps it isn’t the best way to celebrate our nation’s independence, but I’d much rather see America-themed beer than the onslaught of pride-themed products that usually adorn store shelves in June.
Of course, our 250th anniversary is also taking place amid the backdrop of the World Cup, held this year in the United States. Videos have gone viral of Europeans touring America, fascinated by what they’re seeing. For many of these Europeans, they have likely spent years being told that we, the dirty Americans, are inferior to them. Now, however, many are realizing what we all already know: that America truly is the greatest nation on earth.
It appears that, as our nation celebrates this historic anniversary, we have entered a beautiful oasis of patriotism. Right now, it seems that the people of our nation are united in celebrating what makes America special. And of course, as believers, we know what makes this nation special: it was dedicated to the Lord at its founding, and His hand has been upon it ever since.
As a young man who has come of age in a pessimistic, nihilistic America, this newfound patriotism is enough to bring a tear to my eye.
My prayer is that this oasis of patriotism lasts. America’s 250th anniversary offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how our nation has degraded and to change course moving forward. Join me in praying that Americans will link arm in arm, return to God, and once again celebrate the United States as the greatest nation on earth.
Share your prayers for America’s next 250 years below.
(Nathan Tabler is IFA’s Communications Manager. Photo Credit: Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
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I pray from a more holistic view of the world. I pray for a non-partisan search for Truth. I pray for God’s grace as Americans wrestle with who they were, who they are, and who they want to be. I pray that Americans will want to be one nation under God, seeking God, and trusting in God as revealed to us in the life and sacrifice of his Son, Jesus.
I strongly disagree with the claim that as president Obama fanned “the dying flames of racial hatred.” Racial hatred became more noticeable because of who he was, a Black man, rather than what he did. Racial hatred became more noticeable because some Americans were angry that a Black man was president. Public people like President Trump continued to claim that Obama was not an American and was not born in America. The fact that racial riots happen during most presidencies says more about America that any one president. At the end are just a few examples. Patriotism was high among people who see America as a country of immigrants and respected different cultures and religions. Obama publicly distanced himself from a popular Chicago preacher, who was very critical of the actions of white Christians. Obama’s administration was pluralistic in the sense of defending everyone’s right to worship as they felt called. I d not believe that restricting a Christian monopoly i America is anti-Christian. I think it is pro-American and actually pro-Christian in that it challenges Christians to practice the Beatitudes.
Various racial instances:
Under Ronald Reagan
Miami riot 1982, December 28, rioting broke out after police shot and killed a black man in video game arcade. Another man was killed in the riots, more than 25 people were injured and 40 arrested.
Under George H.W. Bush
1991: 1991 Washington, D.C. riot – Riots following the shooting of a Salvadoran man by a police officer in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, aggravated by grievances which were felt by Latinos in the district.
1992: 1992 Los Angeles riots – April 29 to May 4 – a series of riots, lootings, arsons and civil disturbance that occurred in Los Angeles County, California in 1992, following the acquittal of police officers on trial regarding the assault of Rodney King.
Under Bill Clinton
1996: St. Petersburg, Florida riot of 1996, caused by protests against racial profiling and police brutality.
Under George W. Bush
2001: 2001 Cincinnati riots – April – in the African-American section of Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati
Under Barack Obama
2014: Ferguson, MO riots – Riots following the Shooting of Michael Brown
2015: Charleston church shooting, June 17, Charleston, South Carolina
2015: 2015 Baltimore riots – Riots following the death of Freddie Gray
2015: Ferguson unrest – Riots following the anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown
Under Donald Trump
2017: Assault of DeAndre Harris, August 12 – Far-right extremists cause the assault of DeAndre Harris during the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia
2020: United States racial unrest (2020–2023) – Protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd and other African Americans killed by law enforcement, numerous disturbances broke out in other cities.
Nathan,
Thank you for a great article. I enjoyed sharing dinner & conversation with you aboard the riverboat cruise Saturday night. My husband & I enjoyed the IFA event so much. We want to teach our grandchildren to “recount, reclaim and rededicate” . They may not understand it all now but will someday! God bless you and keep on keeping on! 🇺🇲🙏
Don’t listen to the fake news media polls. We have to continue to speak out prosperity! We live in the greatest nation on earth because it was given to us by Almighty God. Pray for the peace of the USA and Israel and the whole planet!!! American Patriotism was well represented at the D.C. celebration and Mount Rushmore. President Trump’s speech both nights were inspiring and heartfelt truth. We will never be a communist country. NEVER!!!! But we must continue to pray hourly, daily giving thanks to our Creator God! In Jesus Name Amen. And thanks to this inspiring article!!!
I fully agree with your pessimism on this subject. I AM A CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE. ,always have been. And yes over the years, I’ve come up against this pessimism more and more. I was born in the 50s when God and patriotism went hand in hand. Now our country has eroded in both areas. Even us seniors only pay lip service to Patriotism and Christianity. And bringing it up often causes you to almost be shunned. I noticed in my neighborhood over the weekend 250 festivities putting up decorations in front of ones home which I did, was definitely a minority.
Father I pray for America to wake up before its too late, for as Jesus said, only the Father knows the time. You are shaking us with fires, storms and earthquakes and revivals keep breaking out here and there but we need more to pull us back together as a nation. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Well done, young man! I agree and as you said, I will
Join you “in praying that Americans will link arm in arm, return to God, and once again celebrate the United States as the greatest nation on earth.” In Jesus name, may it be so. Amen.
Amen to your authentic sharing. God bless the United States of America. Keep moving forward.
Obama definitely turn people into haters of the country and turned races against each other! Things went downhill with him so badly. We had made good progress before him and all of a sudden racism was back loud and strong. Such a disaster!
This would not have happened with Ben Carson or another black president who was truly a good leader.
This is a great article. I’m thankful & proud to be a Christian first of all & an American second of all,
I love God & country & pray that His mercy will continue & we will see love for God & country increase. I pray for healing & national revival.
Of all the places to live America is the greatest & i wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,
God bless our leaders & God Bless America!,,
We who are in Christ are compelled to thank God for all of our benefits. We have many benefits from being in America and Independence reminds us to be thankful….in spite of our country’s faults and short comings. for one thing, for more than a century and a half, we have had peace within our country (in spite of what certain people have to say). Sure, there are some foreign wars, but they are usually short lived.
Heavenly Father, we are so very privileged and blessed to live in a nation that was founded on Your Holy Word. May we always humble ourselves in gratitude and thanksgiving to pray for Thy kingdom come, Thy will to be done in America as You foresaw it in heaven as our founding fathers prayed and established our country. Thank You for Your sustaining grace that still calls for all people to receive Your enduring love. We ask You to remove the ungodly and destroy the works of darkness. Call and position Your godly men and women who stand for righteousness and justice and freedom for all. Protect all the innocent, vulnerable, and first responders and draw them to Your salvation. Make America Great Again! God bless America! Amen.
Lord God, our Heavenly Father, on this our 250th Anniversary of Independence Day we pause for a few moments to give You thanks for a nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the principle that all are endowed by their Creator of certain inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Life has been extended for rich and poor alike, dread diseases that cut short human life in infancy have been virtually eliminated. Now we grapple with the killers of our technological age – death on the highways, disorder proliferating from our stressful urban existence, heart attacks, hypertension, and cancer and the awful specter of nuclear holocaust threatened by unkind worldly nations. In the pursuit of life, help us to realize that it isn’t how long we live, but how we live long that is important. In Jesus’ Name and by His Power, Authority, and Sacrificial Blood, I believe and pray! Amen.
Scripture Encouragement for the ‘Intercessors For America’:
Jesus promised, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20 NIV)
Amen.
Thank you Chaplain for this beautiful prayer. You have so clearly said whated to pray.
And, thank you Nathan Tablerfor this excellent personal, heartwarming testimony.
You are both an an inspiration for all of us who love God and this Country.
God bless America in the name of our King, Jesus Christ
Thank you God for the United States and for the Founders who insisted on a Biblically based Constitution. There is so much great about our nation and its potential moving into the future. The freedoms we have are unlike any other, for which we praise you and those who have fought for these freedoms. We praise you for the true spirit of patriotism. We are blessed to have such a beautiful nation with so many resources.
There is also great evil in our land, from the beginning with the genocide of the Native Americans, which served as a model for Hitler for the concentration camps. We have gone to war many times, most of those modern wars started by false flags and with evil agendas in the name of “freedom”. We are still fighting these wars, funding Ukraine still while it attempts to start WWII by bombing Russia, and serving Israel in unspeakable ways. I pray we wake up as a nation to this evil and that you guide our leaders and our people to repent and away from foreign wars.
I further pray against the MKUltra program which still exists has created great evil in the mind control of our citizens, including young children, who are raped, drugged, hypnotized and tortured to near-death which splits the mind so those newly created parts can be used for evil purposes. This is modern slavery of an invisible and vicious kind. Child sex trafficking is a horrible evil and the US is the global leader. The Olympics, FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl bring us together while the dark underbelly is massive child sex trafficking.
I also pray against the global weaponization of weather which can and does cause severe drought, flooding, earthquakes,, hurricanes and a massive dumping of poisons from our skies which harms all life and crops.
I repent for these and many more evils and pray that others do too. If we only look at at the positives of our nation, it will continue to deteriorate as we are violating God’s will. We must wake up to the whole picture and repent.
Question-What did you mean by serving Israel in unspeakable ways? Jews have been God’s chosen people, and, gratefully, Christians got to be grafted in thru them, thanks to Jesus Christ.
The conclusions you draw from your life experience are far different than mine.
Ther definition of “woke” is important. To me, the word denotes not the tearing down of the USA, but the recognition that our country has many times failed to live up to our own ideals, and only by first admitting them can we begin to do better. Obama’s admission of our failures was never the end of his story; his outlook was, and remains, positive and hopeful that we can overcome the past to make a better country for all. This is a wonderful ideal for our 250th anniversary. I am proud to live in a country that is not afraid to tell the truth of its history, warts and all, and by doing so, shed itself from the bonds of its past.
The message of Trump, by contrast, seems to be that we should not admit to our country’s checkered history of living up to the ideals we profess, to bury the past and speaking only of what is “good” about the American experience. But ” The Truth shall set you free” (John 8:32), to me means the whole truth not some truth concocted by a PR team.
Finally, I disagree with your statement that the election of Trump “unmasked an army of vicious anti-America radicals.” It is not an army of radicals who have promoted the glorification of Trump and the hatred of immigrants, scientists, intellectuals, health professionals, “shithole countries”, liberals and, and anyone who disagrees with our President; it is Trump himself! Trump admits he cannot forget or forgive anyone who he feels has wronged him, and he has bent the levers of government to feed his goal of retaliation. He and most of his policies are the complete opposite of what Christ preached.
Mr Shrouder you are so so so wrong in your thinking!!!! You need to KNOW the REAL TRUTH!!!!
I disagree with your views about our administration which are just your beliefs. You are not the judge! God is the judge of all people. How can you lump all policies of Trump the opposite of Christ?
To God our Creator we thank you for all these years of protection reaching to this 250 years of greatness as we honor you In God we trust..
CELEBRATE OUR FREEDOM WITH CONFIDENCE, PRAYER,
AND FIRM, STEADFAST FAITH IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!
LIVE OUT AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO READ 2 CHRONICLES 7;14 GOD’S PROMISE TO HEAL OUR LAND IF WE HUMBLE OURSELVES, PRAY, SEEK HIS FACE, AND TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS. AMERICA: BLESS GOD!!!
Good article – and from one who is part of the “younger” generation! Well-written – just need to proof-read for spelling errors- quite a few in this one. Sometimes its best to write it- then lay it aside for awhile, then go back and read it – you will usually spot the spelling errors then.
Lord Jesus, I pray for a sense of unity and belonging in our nation. We need this to happen in order for our nation to survive. We MUST stand up to the Socialist/Communist movement in our nation. If we don.t, then having a 250th anniversary has a very hollow ring. If we want to have ANY chance of having another 250 years to celebrate, then Socialism CANNOT be allowed to gain a foothold in America. If this is allowed to succeed, then we quickly become a third world nation.. That simple. In the mighty name of Jesus, I bind the evil spirits behind this Socialism effort in our nation. In its place, I loose a spirit of freedom and reasonable government. Thank You Jesus.
I stand in agreement! Amen
I also stand in agreement, Brian. As one of our dearest former presidents, Ronald Reagan said:
“If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under.”
Great article coming from a member of the youngest adult generation. More careful proofreading is needed because there are several spelling errors. Simple errors like these dilute your message in any writing. Aim for excellence in the details, and your message will be more powerful.
thank you for your message. It was hard to see, in print, what my eyes have seen slowly happening to our once beautiful, God-honoring nation, people’s hearts, and the destruction of our beginnings!
most of our grandchildren and now great grandchildren have no knowledge or experience of the culture we took as ours. My heart knows God isn’t at all pleased with this change in our leadership, our forgetting we are here to be His.
I’d sink into depression but for His Word, His stories of deliverance and most of all, the knowing that He stays true! One day all of this earth will be once again His!!! He is my hope, my light never ending even in dark! May we who are His honor Him and let Him do with us what He has planned to help those who walk in darkness receive His Presence in their lives.
You shall decree a thing, and it shall be established unto you: and the light shall shine upon your ways Job 22: 28 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to past, he shall he whatsoever he saith. Mark 11: 23 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruits of his mouth; and the with increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18: 20,21. Jesus bore my sins in His body on the tree; therefore I am dead to sin and alive unto God; and by His stripes O am healed and made whole. 1 Peter2:24, Roman’s 6: 11, Cor. 5:21.
Father, I resist the enemy in every form that he comes against me , I require my body to be strong and healthy, and I enforce it with Your Word. I reject the curse, and I enforce life in this body. James 4:7.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord!!! Amen
I agree with God and stand in agreement with your prayer that Americans will link arm in arm, return to God, and once again celebrate the United States as the greatest nation on earth created by God Almighty.
AMEN & AMEN
Well said, I think we need to enjoy this celebration.I believe it to be her last. I love this country ,there is no nation on earth that has been so blessed. But, ———————————– no more comments on this glorious day. GOD BLESS AMERICA
the anti USA cultural leaning seemed to me to start in 1963 when prayer was removed from the schools. By 1967 the birth control pill unleashed a wave of young ones who no longer saw a need for restraint. Flower Power is certainly a deceptive term. Vietnam War.
Praying!!!! It is time for rededication to Him to flow like a river!
I was born in 1945. agree with all that person in 2000 said. we live in the best place in the
world. Americans need to realize this. Our nation needs to repent before we lose all our forefathers fought and died for.
I was born in 1945. agree with all that person in 2000 said. we live in the best place in the
world. Americans need to realize this. Our nation needs to repent before we lose all our forefathers fought and died for.
Yes. America belongs to our one true God. The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are one nation under God. That God. We love our Lord because He first loved us. And we are His worshiping army taking back all that’s been stolen from us. And we thank Him for ridding our nation of all contrary to His ways. ❤️🔥
singing, OH SAY CAN YOU SEE
MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE
GOD BLESS AM
PROUD CC TO BE AN AMERICAN
THE LORD PRAYER..OR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN
praying
God bless America, Land that we love!
Beautiful. I, too, born in 1972, remember attending a school where we learned and said the pledge of allegiance daily. We also sang ‘God bless America’ and learned the Star Spangled Banner. These songs were sung everyday. I am not sure it is practiced in most schools in our great nation. I pray too that we wake up grateful to Jesus for all we have. I pray His great Hand never stops protecting us. Thank you for the article.
Lord Jesus, on this 4th of July as we celebrate our 250 years of freedom please wake up your church. Return your church to a place of love, joy and truth and empower us with Holy boldness that we would lovingly share true life with our fellow man.
This battle for America is like a soccer game. Both sides are hoping to win.
There is a reason things get crazy in the news and across the country.
Both sides are wanting hope and to win. Understand that the war must go until there is a win.
Understand there is a need to express that will to win in order to gain ground.
That is why there are conflicting reports. Depending on who you listen to, whether valid news or fake news, you will align with that conflict, one side or the other.
Friends and family, please understand what is at stake. Declare your values until you have victory. – As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Dear LORD, please shine your light on the truth and may your Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we are forgiving those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us ALL from evil.
Thank you LORD for leading us in the paths of righteousness–for your Name’s sake. May we truly be faithful back to you, forsaking the temptations to do otherwise, drawing near to you and resisting the devil. Give us wisdom, strength, and guiding Love as we live it out in our generation. Thank you LORD for establishing a country based on Your Word, mercy and grace, which will follow us all the days of our lives, that we may dwell in the House of the LORD forever.
Amen
Read John 17. It is the Prayer of Jesus for His followers of that day and for us Christians today.
LORD thank you for loving us and protecting us from the evil one. Please give us the courage to share your love with the world that our joy may be complete as your joy is complete. AMEN