The tragic loss of life in New Orleans has been met with a gargantuan call for prayer. This weekend, a group of politicians and Christian leaders gathered to pray for Americans amidst these horrific attacks in the new year.

Held on Sunday, January 5, “Pray for the Nation,” hosted by Family Research Council, focused on praying for those impacted by the attack in New Orleans. The gathering was led by FRC President Tony Perkins, who opened the evening with remarks on the attack itself.

Perkins reflected on the January 1 attack which saw a radicalized American Army veteran bearing an ISIS flag drive into a crowd, killing 14 and injuring dozens of others. He then posed a question: “What do you do when a radicalized American drives an American truck onto an American sidewalk and kills Americans?”

“I think,” continued Perkins, “we begin to realize that our struggle is not merely against terror … but it’s against an ideology that warps the body, mind, and soul.” Such destructive and violent ideologies, said Perkins, serve as warnings “of what lies ahead” for the nation. “If America does not have a course correction, as we have pushed God and morality out of our classrooms, entertainment industry, and even within government itself, we should not be surprised when destructive ideologies find fertile ground in these vast areas, void of truth and morality.”

As an example of the kind of “course correction” that is needed, Perkins looked back to a moment involving Benjamin Franklin. Back in 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, Franklin famously quoted Psalm 127 in a call for prayer as the Founding Fathers toiled over the formation of our nation. Perkins explained that Franklin understood “the necessity of divine guidance” for building the nation. Today, however, the challenge we face lies in guarding that very nation, he insisted.

The gathering itself was prompted by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R), who was also in attendance. Speaking briefly with Perkins, Landry gave accounts of his interaction with the community ravaged by what he described as the “carnage” from the attack.

Despite the frightful nature of what happened, however, Landry told those who tuned in to the prayer night that they should not live in fear. “This country was founded upon courage and faith,” the Louisiana leader remarked. “Anytime we allow fear to infect ourselves, our community, our country, it paralyzes us.” That, he says, “is why I believe that the power of prayer is so important.”

Landry further elaborated saying that prayer “helps us to gain the wisdom, the temperance … to be able to implement and execute the justice as necessary when evil comes to our doorstep.”

The gathering was filled with notes of hope and inspiration from other noteworthy names as well. Of note is Dr. David Gosa, senior pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Gosa referred to 2 Thessalonians by saying “that the Holy Spirit in the church restrains evil.” In praying for the church and its leadership, Gosa said this is exactly what is needed for church leaders everywhere.

Pastor Art Reyes of Calvary Chapel Downey also shared encouraging words as he prayed for the nation. He lamented that it is easy to look upon the world with disdain “at the breakdown of morality.” But it is only through “repentance and placing our trust in Jesus Christ” that one can experience true restoration. With that in mind, Reyes called for the church to “be united and united at the place where it matters most, and that is the cross of Jesus Christ.”

Others who gathered to pray include Dr. Mike Clark of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Pastor Carter Conlon of the Times Square Church, Former Congresswoman and FRC Board Chair Michele Bachmann, National Religious Broadcasters President Troy Miller, and Pastor Jack Hibbs of California’s Calvary Chapel, Chino Hills.

A former member of the House Intelligence Committee, Bachmann understands the seriousness of this moment. “We’ve seen so much death and destruction,” she began, “not only in the United States — but across the world. It’s really struck me,” she said, “the absolute overt killing nature of just the first few days in 2025.” The dean of Regent University’s School of Government took the opportunity to pray for those in authority. “A lot of people look at politicians and think, ‘Oh, it’s so glamorous.’ And I can tell you from a personal perspective, there’s about a thimbleful of glamour to the job, but it’s an ocean full of misery. And you want people in your state and your federal offices and at every level of government who are looking to the Lord,” she insisted before praying through Romans 12.

Conlon, a former police officer, focused especially on “the thin blue line” who are “out there responding to these situations.” After a dozen years in the profession, the general overseer of Times Square Church explained that he understands what it feels like “to be in environments where there’s a lot of hostility.”

“Father God,” he asked, “let there be a spiritual awakening among the police officers and firefighters and ambulance workers and others who are first responders. Let them experience a spiritual awakening in our time. Until this society turns, until the lawlessness begins to break, until sensible thinking returns to our society, God, have mercy on the first responders. Don’t let them lose heart. Don’t let them back away. … God help them. Give them strength, Father.”

The prayers for the night were lifted for the victims and their families of the attack, as well as leaders both local and national. Other prayers were offered for the church leaders and the nation itself to have discernment. Other prayers focused on those in the media, asking that they be informative, not inflammatory, in all situations.

Like many, Pastor Hibbs feels like America is at a tipping point. “I have an overwhelming sense,” he told Perkins, “like I have never had before in my 47 years of being a Christian — a sense of urgency.” But whatever is coming, he reassured people, “it’s under the watchful eye of our God. ... Is it revival as was prayed about? Catastrophe? I don’t know, but He knows. And I tell you, I am just consumed right now in my life of pursuing Him and pressing into Him like never before.”

In these uncertain times, Hibbs encouraged believers to be on their knees. “This is a moment we’re seeing many changes politically in our country, and I think [some people] are maybe thinking, ‘Well, we’ve taken care of the problem. We’ll just turn this over to the elected officials. We’ve got conservatives.’ But this is a spiritual problem,” he insisted, “and we’re seeing it internationally. The world is on fire. This is a time that we need to be listening to the Holy Spirit and responding.”

Ian Patrick is a freelance reporter. He is the former senior editor and co-creator of FISM News.