From a pheasant shoot to prayers before his stump speeches, rising Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s cash-strapped campaign seems to have literally at times been done on a wing and a prayer.

A former Arkansas Governor and ordained Baptist preacher, Huckabee’s unexpected surge in the polls has been attributed in large part to his successful wooing of the Republican Party’s conservative and influential evangelical base.

That means his campaign events often kick off with prayers — a common way to start many public affairs in the American heartland, from rodeos to business breakfasts.

On Thursday night close to 1,000 people bowed their heads in prayer before several speakers took to the podium at an event dubbed “We The People” at a hotel in West Des Moines that ended with a Huckabee stump speech.

Last week at a campaign event for Huckabee sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance, Huckabee joined the group in prayers before and at the end of his speech.  He also sprinkled several Bible references during his remarks.

The crucial Iowa caucus on Jan. 3 kicks off the presidential nomination process for both the Republicans and the Democrats for the November White House election.

“When you’re outspent 20 to one, and that’s basically the ratio here, it’s a remarkable story. If we come in second even third it’s still a remarkable story to be outspent like that,” Huckabe said on Thursday night, refering to Republican rival Mitt Romney’s financial advantage over him.

But Huckabee has been hitting key Republican ATMs like Texas and Florida this month in his fund-raising efforts. When December’s numbers are disclosed, he likely is hoping some of his prayers have been answered.

– Photo credit: Reuters/Jim Young