Subtitle: On the subject of prayer and personal salvation from President Trump.

Excerpt: The article examines Trump’s views on prayer and salvation, contrasting his perspective with the theological concept of works-based salvation as taken from quotes from the National Prayer Breakfast 2026.

Author: Jeff Hilles

On the Subject of Prayer

From the Christian Broadcasting Network… taken from audio of President Trump at the 2026 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.

“Prayer Is America’s Superpower”

“To be a great nation…you have to have religion. You have to have it. You have to have faith. You have to have God.”

“Some churches are seeing a 30 percent, 50 percent, or even 70 percent increase in the number of converts and also the number of people going to church every week.”

“I’m pleased to announce that on May 17, 2026, that we’re inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, to give thanks and…we are going to do something that everyone said, like, that’s tough. We’re going to rededicate America as one nation under God.”

“Prayers strengthen, prayers heal, prayer empowers, and prayer saves. Quite simply, prayer is America’s superpower.”

On the Subject of Personal Salvation

“Last time I came [to the National Prayer Breakfast], I was having a lot of fun talking about the fact that I will never make it to Heaven… I was being funny… I just don’t think I qualify… I don’t think there is a thing that I can do. But all of these good things I am doing, including for religion… I won’t qualify… I was just having fun. I really think I probably should make it. I mean, I am not a perfect candidate, but I did a hell of a lot of good for perfect people, that’s for sure, right?”

Works-Based Salvation

One of the oldest and most common spiritual mistakes is the idea that people can earn their own salvation. The Bible doesn’t see works-based salvation as a small mistake; it sees it as a big mistake in the gospel itself.

Scripture is clear that salvation is a gift of grace and not something you earn by doing good things.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8–9

Works-based salvation moves the focus away from what Christ did on the cross and toward what we try to do in an attempt to counter our bad behavior (sin). It implies that the cross was not enough and that sinners need to finish what Jesus started. This goes against the core of the gospel, which is that only Christ’s righteousness can make the ungodly right before God. If one could earn salvation, grace would no longer be grace (Romans 11:6).

Good deeds are not the cause of salvation; they are the result. They come from a changed heart, demonstrated by a changed life (James 2:17). When mankind thinks that their works are what God accepts as payment for our sins, pride takes the place of humility, and the work of Christ is rejected.

The heresy of salvation through works ultimately leads to slavery, as demonstrated by the false teachings of other religions, where one never knows if he is “good enough.” The real gospel sets people free (John 8:36). Christ is the only path to salvation and eternity in Heaven. You receive it from God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and you show your thanks and love by obeying His written Word, the Bible.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6