God, Country & the American Story With Billy Hallowell

Elizabeth Carlyle joins God, Country and the American Story to discuss her new book,  "Americans Who Pray: Uniting a Nation in Faith and Freedom". She explains how George Washington’s prayer at Valley Forge inspired the project, why more than 80 Americans contributed prayers, and how faith shaped America from the founding to today. At a time of chaos, division, and uncertainty, could prayer be the starting point for national renewal?

00:00 Why Elizabeth Carlyle Wrote Americans Who Pray
01:21 Why This Message Matters Right Now
02:43 How She Chose the Voices in the Book
03:46 The Americans Who Joined the Project
05:02 How Prayer Shaped America’s Presidents
07:41 What Today’s Leaders Can Learn From Early America
09:15 Why America 250 Is a Moment to Reflect
10:34 The Biggest Misconception About Faith in America

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New video series: God, Country and the American Story with Billy Hallowell

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As America approaches its 250th birthday, a large question looms: Is the nation’s story only political or is it deeply spiritual as well? On this episode of "God, Country and the American Story," Billy Hallowell speaks with author Cynthia Scott about her book, "Celebrating God, Our Founder at America’s 250th Birthday." She argues that God’s hand in America’s founding has been overlooked — and in some cases, deliberately minimized.

0:00 Why this book now as America 250 approaches
0:26 How a prayer meeting sparked the book
1:18 Why “God in the founding” triggers backlash
2:51 The importance of spiritual foundations for the nation’s future
4:50 Prayer’s role in the Revolution and early leadership
6:56 Can government and faith really be separated
8:10 The Great Awakenings and the call for a third
10:30 The author’s goal and what she readers can to do next

From the First Continental Congress opening in prayer to the First and Second Great Awakenings that helped shape the nation’s moral framework, Ms. Scott makes the case that biblical principles were foundational to the American experiment. At a time of division and cultural upheaval, she urges Americans to revisit the nation’s origins, seek the truth about its spiritual roots, and consider what it means to preserve the freedoms the Founders fought to secure. "Celebrating God, Our Founder at America’s 250th Birthday" is available now at https://godourfounder.com.

The Washington Times delivers trusted, hard-hitting journalism and insightful analysis on politics, national security, culture, and current events shaping America and the world. Our award-winning reporters and commentators bring you breaking news from Capitol Hill to Main Street — offering clarity, balance, and depth you can count on. Subscribe to stay informed with daily updates, exclusive interviews, and in-depth reporting straight from the nation’s capital.

The Washington Times delivers trusted, hard-hitting journalism and insightful analysis on politics, national security, culture, and current events shaping America and the world. Our award-winning reporters and commentators bring you breaking news from Capitol Hill to Main Street — offering clarity, balance, and depth you can count on. Subscribe to stay informed with daily updates, exclusive interviews, and in-depth reporting straight from the nation’s capital.

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Former Congressman and prosecutor Trey Gowdy joins Billy Hallowell on The Washington Times' "God, Country, and the American Story" to discuss his powerful faith journey, the moral weight of justice, and his new novel "The Color of Death." 

Mr. Gowdy opens up about wrestling with doubt, the problem of evil, and how tragedy and grief have deepened his understanding of God and truth. He also reflects on his time in Congress, politics and his legacy. This interview offers a candid, thought-provoking look at faith, law, and grace from one of America’s most recognizable public servants.

Billy Hallowell sits down with Bunni Pounds, founder of Christians Engaged and the mind behind the massive upcoming event “America Reads the Bible.” The historic, weeklong initiative will call national leaders and everyday Americans back to Scripture. In April 2026, hundreds of celebrities, pastors and influential voices will gather in Washington to publicly read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Ms. Pounds shares the divine inspiration behind this effort, the movement’s call for repentance and renewal, and how rediscovering the Bible holds the power to transform individuals, families and the nation.

A popular New York City pastor believes that the tragic assassination of conservative and Christian commentator Charlie Kirk has sparked something truly surprising: revival.

“Anytime society goes into a desperate state — and I think we’ve been there for years — this desperation is increasing financially, economically. We’re feeling it, but also within our families: people … start looking for answers,” Mike Signorelli, pastor of V1 Church, told “God Country and the American Story.” 

Mr. Signorelli, author of the new book, “Fire Starters: Igniting Revivals and Sustaining Spiritual Awakening,” said this search for answers amid the chaos is leading many to discover Christianity. On the first Sunday after Mr. Kirk’s killing, the pastor’s church saw 533 people embrace the Christian faith. Watch him join Billy Hallowell for a powerful conversation about Mr. Kirk, revival and more.

On this special episode of God, Country, and the American Story, Billy Hallowell sits down with former Secret Service agent Darin Kinder, a survivor of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mr. Kinder is the author of the new memoir, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit. He joins Mr. Hallowell in recounting his harrowing firsthand experience inside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He describes, in vivid detail, the moments when chaos, death, and destruction collided with faith, courage, and selflessness.

From his story of miraculous survival and hearing God’s voice to returning to “the battlefield” to save lives, Mr. Kinder shares how the tragedy impacted his life, faith and life's mission.

In this episode of The Washington Times' God, Country and the American Story, Billy Hallowell sits down with historian Bill Federer for a deep dive into the faith and history behind America’s birth. From the unique nature of the Declaration of Independence and the radical idea of making “the people the king” to Thomas Jefferson’s original anti-slavery language in the Declaration, Mr. Federer unpacks powerful historical nuggets as well as the biblical roots that shaped the founders’ vision for a new union.

Discover how divine providence, unexpected allies, and even miraculous fog played pivotal roles in the colonists' fight for independence. As we look ahead to America 250, this conversation sheds light on the spiritual and historical forces that helped create and sustain a nation unlike any other.

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On the premiere episode of “God, Country, and the American Story,” Sen. Tim Scott joins Billy Hallowell for a powerful conversation about faith, freedom, and the spiritual foundations of America. 

The episode explores a multitude of questions, including: What is America without faith? Why does the Judeo-Christian tradition matter to the nation’s foundations? And what’s happening spiritually in America today? 

From the roots of American exceptionalism to the rising tide of relativism and cultural confusion, Mr. Scott passionately defends the principles of faith that have built, shaped and refined our nation. He also explores his new book, “One Nation Always Under God: Profiles in Christian Courage,” and tells some of the stories of heroes who shaped America.

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