Something wonderful is happening in our nation. More and more, we are hearing stories of elected officials who are connecting with intercessors and graciously asking for prayer, and who are receptive to and thankful for it. Here is a story from an IFA State Leader about how our elected officials not only need prayer, but also the battles we do not get to see. I pray you are encouraged to know that God is bridging gaps between intercessors and government, and that your intercession for them is invaluable.

Let the IFA community know how to pray for you.

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“My husband Dennis and I have been helping several legislators campaign by going door to door with campaign literature, waving their signs on city streets, and displaying their signs in our yard for the last six weeks. We have gotten a taste for how hard they work, even when the legislative session is finished. This is especially true since all SD legislators are up for election every two years.

Two years ago, we asked our local candidates whether they would be interested in participating in a prayer meeting with local intercessors. They were, and after that prayer meeting, five of the attendees won seats in the SD Senate and House of Representatives, in the Black Hills districts. It was part of an upset in the state.

We asked again this year. This past Sunday evening, we planned a one-hour prayer meeting in our home. We got their input on the date and timing, taking their busy schedules into account. A few of the candidates already had plans for Mother’s Day. The rest came after their family celebrations.

We had invited about a dozen committed intercessors from various ministries and churches, including several pastors and their wives, to pray with us over the candidates. During prayer time, one of the candidates was open to sharing her struggles with a previous position. She still felt anger and resentment towards some of the leadership who persecuted her. She said it was blocking her from joining us in prayer that evening. She was tired of feeling anger and resentment, but didn’t know how to let it go. The intercessors surrounded her, we anointed her, and the pastors counseled her on the spot. Something broke, and she began the process of forgiveness. She said she had never been in a prayer meeting like this before. She left feeling lighter and released. 

We had started the meeting by honoring God and welcoming His Holy Spirit to lead and inspire us. God answered, and the Holy Spirit was noticeably present and felt by all of us. We also prayed for those who had been invited but were unable to attend. We made our Appeal to Heaven and brought our request for God’s will to be done in every race across South Dakota. We are so thankful we have a personal and omnipotent God on whose shoulders our government rests,” said MaryBeth. 

Elected Officials need Intercessors. First, can we praise God that candidates are participating with intercessors? They feel comfortable enough to enter believers’ homes and ask for their prayers.

This woman is a prime example of what we do not get to see happening behind the scenes: the persecution. It was enough to hinder her prayers. This is what the enemy wants, but thankfully, the Holy Spirit ministered to her as the intercessors prayed, and she experienced a breakthrough from the pain and anger. We may not be able to invite officials into our homes to pray, but we can pray in our homes for them and see the same results.

Intercession is a Holy Spirit-driven ministry. Your standing in the gap for them makes all the difference, and this story is evidence of that. The proof is in the answered prayers. 

• Pray for godly candidates and elected officials to be connected with Spirit-filled intercessors and to build strong relationships (1 Thessalonians 5:11). 
• Pray that our elected officials find a safe place with Christians who can intercede for them (James 5:16). 
• Pray that intercessors will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s ministry before and during our prayer time (Ephesians 6:18).
• Pray that the anointing of the Holy Spirit will break the yokes of resentment, unforgiveness, and rejection for those being persecuted behind the scenes (Psalm 107:14).
• Pray that the Lord will sustain every leader who stands for righteousness (Psalm 3:5). 
• Even though persecution is painful, pray that our elected officials who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake will reap a blessing (1 Peter 4:14). 

Share how you are praying for your elected officials in the comments. 

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: Rosie Sun on Unsplash.