Spirit-led, grassroots prayer support for government, whether at the national, state, or local level, begins with a few people who see the need and sense a call to be part of God’s moving in that sphere. It isn’t about numbers. It’s about God’s calling and your willingness. The more committed you are, the more faithful you are, and the longer you persevere, the more the Holy Spirit can use you and reveal God’s heart to you.

Rather than coming to prayer with a laundry list of things you want to see accomplished, invite His presence into your midst. Humble yourself and ask the Lord, “What are you doing and how may we join You?” Thank Him for His handiwork and fingerprints on lives and in circumstances. Do this consistently, and He will reveal even more of His strategy.

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Take field trips and expect divine appointments. I have witnessed a faithful band of believers regularly attend meetings of their very liberal and politically hostile city council. They just sat in the audience and prayed silently every week for months. Finally, when one meeting was over, a council member asked, “Why are you here? You come every week, and never say a word.” The believers simply replied, “We are here to pray for you.” From that point on, the intercessors found favor with the council. Members began confidentially asking for specific requests. They thanked the team for their faithfulness and noted the difference in the meetings and the peace in the room. Some who had been openly hostile sought prayer support in dire personal circumstances.

I was once  facilitating a prayer team in a small town where traumatic violence had occurred and justice had been denied for decades. The team began to prayer walk around the courthouse at the center of the town square. Discreetly, individually or in pairs, they prayed “on site with insight.” The Lord revealed how to proceed. They built relationships, wrote notes of encouragement, and even brought  cookies to the courthouse personnel to bless them. They asked, “How can I pray for you?” In time, God brought people to the town for reform. The team kept praying and making connections  through divine appointments. Ultimately, corruption was exposed, truth prevailed, and justice was served.

Another time, a prayer team was called to come in the opposite spirit of the political “good-old-boy” network in a state, to see God’s righteousness and Kingdom bring new life and blessing. Through a series of divine appointments and connections, the team found favor at a critical juncture of the state campaign season. The team was granted permission to meet candidates as they came down off the platform where each had just delivered an important campaign speech. All the candidates for every state and local office let the team lay hands on them and pray. The team did not preach or pray negatively. They prayed mercy and blessing, and that “the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened to know the hope of their calling.” All received. Many were humbled, with tears in their eyes. Candidates’ spouses wept. The presence of God permeated the atmosphere. The team was invited back every year.

If you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, He will show you the way of fervent, effectual prayer. (Jas 5:16) If you are faithful in small things, He will trust you with more. (Lk 16:10) It all starts where two or three are gathered in His name, there He will be in your midst. (Mt 18:20)

*Got to IFA’s Adopt a Street Prayer Map to discover where you can pray within your own community. Find others who are prayer walking your city! Also, click to download our free Intercessory Activism prayer guide brochure.