As America marks its 250th anniversary, there's no better time to ask: what has kept this nation standing? Elizabeth Carlyle's answer is simple — prayer.
Elizabeth learned that at age eleven, when her father suffered a heart attack and was rushed away in an ambulance. She rode her bike to the end of the street, watched it go by, and prayed. He survived. And fifty years later, she still prays every time she hears a siren. That moment became the foundation of a life built on the belief that prayer isn't a last resort — it's the first and most powerful thing you can do.
Elizabeth is an author, attorney, and Bible study teacher, and the CEO of First Freedom Art Company — the stewards of Arnold Freeberg's famous painting of George Washington, Prayer at Valley Forge. It's also the cover of her book Americans Who Pray: Uniting a Nation in Faith and Freedom, released in honor of America's 250th anniversary.
In this conversation, she shares the stories behind gathering prayers from founding fathers, presidents, and current leaders — including Ben Carson, Tim Tebow, and June Hunt — and what she learned about prayer along the way.
This is an encouraging conversation on the importance of prayer in the Christian life and in the history of our country as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary.
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Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.
Elizabeth Carlyle Resources
Get Elizabeth’s book, Americans Who Pray: https://tinyurl.com/2889mtdz
Learn more about Elizabeth Carlyle & First Freedom Art: https://www.firstfreedomart.com/
Hope for the Heart resources
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Bible verses mentioned in this episode
Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Matthew 6:9: "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”