Since its founding in 1973, Intercessors for America has mandated praying for elected officials. According to scripture, all leadership is established by God for His purposes (see Romans 13:1). Despite our opinions, intercessors should pray for our leaders. It isn’t optional based on how we feel about them. All people need prayers, but how much more do those who lead us? I pray this testimony of how an intercessor unexpectedly met a leader in her state encourages you. 

Donna, leader of IFA’s Texas Prayer Group, signed up to serve at a Young Women’s Leadership Summit in her state a few weeks ago. This 3 day conference equipped and trained young women interested in public policy. Donna could only attend on Saturday and Sunday. She and Aileen, an IFA Texas weekly prayer group member were assigned to pray  for safety on the grounds, for the speakers, and for the thousands of young women attending. 

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Early Sunday morning, Donna met with other local intercessors in an area of the conference that functioned as a Bible study room. Although it was early in the morning, it was already packed. Then Donna prepared to walk back to her prayer location. Someone told her, “There’s Angela Paxton,” wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Donna silently prayed for God to open a door for her to be able to pray with her. Donna introduced herself to Mrs. Paxton and her staff members and told her, “We pray for you.” Angela smiled and hugged her as if they were familiar with each other. 

Mrs. Paxton also met Amy Sabat, IFA’s State Prayer Group Coordinator. Amy shared the heart of IFA’s mandate to pray for leaders with Mrs. Paxton, who was already familiar with IFA. All the intercessors prayed for her, her daughter, who is expecting twins, and her husband.

Before Mrs. Paxton’s time to speak, Donna and Aileen went to pray over the stage and front rows. When recalling the story, Donna said she had prayed for God to connect her to the right people. She couldn’t explain why but believed there would be a divine connection. She was able to pray face-to-face with a woman of influence. As leader of the Texas State Prayer calls, Donna regularly prays for AG Paxton (and many other leaders) by name, and for their families. She was so grateful that God orchestrated a time to pray in person with Mrs. Paxton.

Donna recently received an email from the office of Senator Ted Cruz. Last week, anti-Israeli protesters gathered outside his home at 7:00 a.m. They occupied his front lawn, yelling anti-Semitic slogans. The email Donna received was from Senator Cruz requesting prayers. She was humbled and shared the request with her local prayer group, who prayed for him and his family. 

As an intercessor myself, these stories brought me much-needed encouragement. If you have ever wondered if your prayers for your state leaders’ matter, I assure you they do. They know when you call or email to let them know you are praying. I once wrote about two leaders: one was the mayor of a small town, and the other was a state representative. Both men and their spouses said they were thankful for phone calls and emails from Christians telling them they were being prayed for. Your prayers matter. 

Angela Paxton was not only welcoming but grateful to receive prayers. In Senator Cruz’s case, he reached out for prayer when his family faced danger. Our governmental leaders want and need our prayers.

Why Pray for Elected Officials? 

At an IFA Policy & Prayer event in Washington, D.C., House Chaplain Margaret Kibben asked for prayer for the representatives’ staff. She mentioned they are often traumatized by the harsh emails and letters received, since they read them first. I felt sorry for them after hearing that. If the staff feels overwhelmed, can you imagine the toll it takes on our leaders and their families? They’re every bit as human as you and me.

Leaders are accountable to and for the people under them. The same people who love you one day can quickly turn against you the next. If it’s based on what they can do for you or how they’ve disappointed you, it’s fickle and not agape love. 

I am not able to bear all these people alone because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness (Numbers 11:15).

Even Moses could not bear the weight of leading God’s people alone. He called it a heavy burden. The Lord responded to Moses’ cry and appointed seventy men. God put his Spirit upon them, and these seventy elders were burden bearers alongside Moses (See Numbers 11:14-17).

Perhaps you have a heart for governmental intercession, specifically for leaders, but don’t know where to begin. Chances are you have already been praying. Ask the Lord to share the burden of His heart for a specific leader. As you faithfully intercede, you will notice impressions, dreams, and words, or you will be prompted by the Spirit of God to pray. When you are obedient and pray it through, you will notice that the burden lifts.

Look for Opportunities to Serve

Donna is an ordinary woman who loves the Lord. She is always looking for ways to serve. When she found the opportunity to serve at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit, she and Aileen, another member of the intercessory prayer team, signed up to help. They were excited to greet people and offer prayers. God opened the door to a divine connection, introducing her to Angela Paxton, someone she had been praying for. You never know what God can do with your yes, and He will do this for anyone willing and obedient. 

Different Ways to Pray

Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

This Bible verse is the standard about praying for those in authority over us. Four different things are listed. You already know how to give thanks; I will focus solely on the types of prayer. Supplications are petitions, asking the Lord for something. Do you have a specific petition for your elected official? If so, ask God.

Prayers are universal. They usually request help from God; even unbelievers will pray when in need. Anyone can and should pray about anything (see Philippians 4:6). We should include praying for those in positions of authority. Ask God to help our leaders.

Intercession differs from praying. The difference is often the motive. Sometimes, we presume to know what God wants, but His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. If we can be honest with ourselves, our prayers can sometimes be selfish and directed toward the outcome we want. 

You ask [God for something] and do not receive it because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires (James 4:3 AMPC). 

Intercession is when your prayers align with God’s heart and mind. It is selfless and Spirit-led prayer on behalf of someone else. The Bible describes many intercessors who were proxies to God, meaning they stood in the gap. Abraham and Moses are two prime examples. They placed themselves between God’s righteous judgment and man, asking God to be merciful even when the people they interceded for didn’t deserve it. 

Reading those stories is challenging. It’s easy to pray for elected leaders we like, who are conservative and bold in their faith. Do we pray with the same zeal for our leaders on the opposite side? I would assume they need our prayers even more. After all, 1 Timothy 2:4 says, “God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” Those officials we don’t like need our intercession. Their eternity is in balance, and our prayers could turn the tide.

Will you intercede for your elected leaders? 

Intercession can be daunting. It takes a disciplined prayer life and availability. You have to be open to God, even if He interrupts your sleep with an urgency to pray. But it is worth everything to have an intimate relationship with God, that He trusts you to pray such assignments that seem odd to others. Intercession is an adventure with God. The good news is that God looks for intercessors (see Ezekiel 22:30). Will you be one? 

Now that we know praying for our elected leaders does matter and that they want and need them. Let’s pray together. 

Father,

We praise You, for there is none like You. You are good, and Your mercy endures forever. Our government was set up to reflect Your Kingdom and bring justice and righteousness. While some officials do not abide by Your Word, we praise and thank You for those who do. Thank You to godly leaders who fear you and are bold enough to stand for truth and our nation’s freedoms. 

We stand in the gap for our leaders who do not know You and who resist Your will and Your ways. We know they can be removed as quickly as they were placed in authority. It’s You who sets up kings and removes them (Dan. 2:21). We lift our officials who are far from you. The most important decision they will ever make is whether they accept Jesus as their Savior. So, I ask that their day of salvation be sooner rather than later. Your Word says in Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”  I pray that elected officials who do not know You will begin to seek You out and call upon the only name that has the power to save. That name is above every other name, Jesus Christ. Your Word also says, “Let the wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts.” Let every leader involved in evil and unrighteous acts forsake his wicked ways and cry out to You. Lord, You said that if they do, You will have mercy and abundantly pardon. Despite how I feel, You are merciful and willing to forgive should they genuinely repent. When I’m tempted to rage against a leader I disagree with, help me to pray for them. Let Your Holy Spirit lead my prayers.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Please share what God has been speaking to you 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.