Homeland Security officials tell us that there have been at least 32 attempted terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens since 9/11, all of which have failed. (The one exception is Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who shot up 13 idolaters at Fort Hood, a circumstance created by the folly of allowing Muslims, who have a sacred obligation to kill infidel American soldiers, to serve in our military.)

Why have we been kept safe from the kind of wholesale slaughter we experienced on 9/11?

Think back to the days immediately following 9/11. One of the memorable moments of the aftermath of that fateful September morning was when members of Congress, Republican and Democrat alike, gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and together sang “God Bless America.”

Almost immediately a new American tradition was created in major league ballparks, in which a portion of the 7th inning stretch was devoted to the singing of that same song by the entire crowd.

The singing of “God Bless America” has been a staple since 9/11 in virtually every major league baseball stadium, and, inspired by baseball’s example, is now a consistent part of pregame festivities at NFL games and NBA games, as well as college football and basketball games.

The significance here is that “God Bless America” is not just a collection of words, not just a song, not just a memorable melody. What is significant here is that “God Bless America” is a prayer.

When we sing this song, we are not just singing - we are praying. We are joining heart and voice together to ask God to bless America, to “stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.”

Remarkably, we have established the practice of converting every major league stadium, every NFL stadium, and every NBA arena into a temporary cathedral in which hundreds of thousands of Americans every week pray to God and ask him to watch over this land.

I suggest that these prayers have been heard and they have been answered.

The Psalmist says, “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Now God does not protect us apart from our watchmen but through them - that’s why we need a well-equipped military. But he waits patiently for us to invite him to watch over us; he will not force his protection on a people who do not want his help.

Since 9/11, multitudes of the American people have on a weekly and almost daily basis asked God to watch over our nation. I believe he has inclined his ear to our prayer.

If you want to know why America has been kept safe since 9/11, I believe we  have professional baseball, football, and basketball owners to thank for giving Americans the opportunity to engage in consistent corporate intercession for the safety of this nation.

Who could have seen that coming? As the Scriptures say, “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33).

(Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.)