Surely you’ve seen the images of immigrants crossing the borders. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the setup of buoys and barbed wire as deterrents to slow the influx of illegal immigrants crossing the Rio Grande. Immigrants have drowned trying to navigate around the buoys. This has been making national headlines as the Department of Justice sued Texas for its refusal to remove them. The DOJ is claiming humanitarian and environmental violations.

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Rep. Tony Gonzales, of the 23rd District in Texas, recently addressed these claims, hoping to clarify what is actually happening at the border. This remains a crisis that demands our continued prayers. 

Earlier this year, as Title 42 was lifted, the expected happened: There was an increase in illegal immigration. Though many news outlets are reporting that President Biden’s new asylum policies have led to decreased numbers, this is only partly true. “We are still seeing record-breaking numbers,” said Gonzales. “We are expected to see 1 million illegal entries. We must go back to policies that worked.” 

It is sad that people are drowning at the border, Gonzales concedes, but what is happening is a direct consequence of the Biden administration’s lack of action on this ongoing crisis. “The buoys were meant to be a deterrent,” Gonzales said. “We don’t want anyone to drown, but people were drowning even before they were there; or what about those who are dying in open fields? When that happens, no one blinks an eye. There are no tears for those migrants. They don’t care about these people, they are just being used as political pawns.” 

So far, 13 states have volunteered to send National Guard troops and law-enforcement officers to address this humanitarian crisis. This is intended to combat not only the pervasive evil of human trafficking, but also the deadly opioid epidemic — both of these driven by our lack of any border protections. “Every state is a part of the fight against fentanyl, because it is affecting kids,” Gonzales said. “The threat is very real.” Read Kim Potter’s article: “We Can Impact the U.S. Drug Epidemic.” 

The drug cartels are now using drones to smuggle drugs across borders, he says. “They are penetrating U.S. air space and dropping packages of fentanyl. There has been an increase in smuggling hard narcotics that don’t require large quantities for movement.” 

It is hard to see those pictures, and it is equally hard to read about how our border situation promotes human trafficking and child exploitation. The cartels are using technology to push drugs that are directly harming young people. The only way we will see any change is if our policies change. And if the policies are ever to change, we must fervently pray. 

• Pray for the policies that affect our borders. Pray for our legislators, that their decisions would proceed from sane thinking that benefits the nation.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1–4 NIV).

• Pray for Washington to cooperate with Border Patrol and assign enforcement agents where they are most needed. Pray for the enforcement officers and agents who are feeling overwhelmed. 

Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:1–2 NKJV).

• Pray for continued exposure of all lawless acts and crimes. Pray that human-trafficking rings and drug smugglers would be apprehended.

For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light (Mark 4:22 NLT).

• Pray for the eyes of our legislators to be opened to what is going on at the borders.

Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen (Isaiah 32:3 NIV).

• Pray that the media will show the full truth of what is going on.

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him (Daniel 2:22 NIV).

• Pray for legislators on the local and national levels, that they would put the highest interests of the nation first. 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8 NIV).

• Ask God to protect cities and the people being personally affected and feeling unsafe in their own homes. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

We should always separate people from politics. The bottom line is that our nation is in crisis. Our political considerations aside, let’s remember that not every person crossing the border is a trafficker, smuggler, or terrorist. Many of these people are victims of trafficking and sexual assault themselves. They are still human beings for whom Jesus died.

• Pray for the salvation of those coming across our borders. Pray especially that those who have been resettled here will see Christ through the lives of believers. This is what some call “the inverted Gospel.”

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart” (Zechariah 7:9–10).

As a Texan, I confess that my heart is burdened. And words fail me at times. But then I remember that we have been given the power of prayer. We possess a power that can, when applied in faith, move mountains. Fervent, effectual prayer is powerful. Will you continue to pray?

Father, all of this is overwhelming. The needs are great, but You are greater still. You said that Your Spirit would pray for us whenever we don’t know how we should pray. Holy Spirit, please lead us in our prayer times about this border crisis. Lord, we praise You for reports that children are being rescued. We praise You that the numbers of children in distress have decreased. Continue to expose what is happening at our borders, so that our federal government and lawmakers will be moved to action. Hear our prayers — for the sake of innocent children and of all who are victimized and exploited; for the sake of every person who has been affected by the opioid crisis; and for the safety of our nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This malignant evil at our border must end. Justice must prevail. Share your most earnest prayers below.

IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast, Something To Share. Photo Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images.