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.

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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 user in a wave of anti-American hatred unlike anything I had every seen.

Protests. Riots. Violence. Destruction. President Trump’s victory unmasked a an army of vicious anti-America 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 America 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 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 taking more about what it means to be an American. Local business 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 usual 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 us 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 me 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)