One of the biggest prayer requests we have in Connecticut is for righteous leadership. Our state prayer group recognizes how much America needs righteous government leaders to arrest the encroaching darkness, and we always pray for godly men and women to step up and become elected officials. One recent way that we see God answering our prayers is through His prompting the husband of one of our intercessors to run for U.S. senator from Connecticut.

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Anne Smith has been a prayer warrior for 25 years, and I got to know her and her husband, Gerry, through two prayer assignments, initially connecting through my IFA state prayer co-leader, Laurie Lestage. As a child, Anne witnessed the growth of the Conservative Party in New York City through her father and uncle, who ran for Congress and state assembly. God has given her visions and dreams throughout the years, and she has long had a heart for the government.

On my second prayer assignment with Anne, we went to a hotel that was known for sex trafficking in Connecticut. Anne came prepared for the assignment, with warrior prayers of protection for our small group interceding on the sidewalks. Meanwhile, her husband, who had driven her to the location where we met, kept an eye on us as we prayed on the streets in a not-so-great part of town.

“My husband, Gerry, is not a very good spectator,” Anne told me. “He believes that life is a participation sport, and wherever he finds himself, he invariably ends up being in the thick of things. … He simply cannot observe a need without stepping up himself.” With a missionary’s heart and a strong sense of justice, Gerry sensed a call on his life, most strongly in the past decade, and he steadfastly sought the Lord for clear direction. In recent months, as Gerry felt God tug on his heart to run for higher office, he had no political or professional aspirations other than obedience to God.

My goal in sharing this brief testimony is to give the praying Church in Connecticut (and across America) hope for our future. Our obedience to God does make a difference through prayers, petitions, and action. Anne, Laurie, and their friend Joanne began praying together in 2019 for a “2020 vision,” and their prayers continue to be that God will open America’s eyes to Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

As we continue through this legislative session, I pray that we would be bold, have faith, and seek God. In a year when the Connecticut State Legislature has a short session, and when the people of the state would believe that lawmakers are primarily focused on state budget issues, it is a surprise to see an exorbitant amount of legislation coming from the 26 committees in Hartford. Several proposals extend into a breach of liberties, removing the freedoms as declared protected in the U.S. Constitution and Connecticut Constitution, to which our legislators take an oath of office.

There has never been a more important time for the people of Connecticut to pray according to 1 Timothy 2:1–2, which says: 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.

Amid the chaos, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Farmington, Connecticut, on March 16, stating: “I am absolutely convinced that God is not done with America yet.” He went on with words inspired by Ronald Reagan: “You have to remember this at the end of the day: Freedom is not passed along in the bloodstream, right? It’s not inherited. You have to fight for it; you have to teach it to the next generation; you have to pass it along; you have to defend it, or it will not be there for our next generation.”

On Wednesday, March 20, it was evident that the next generation was taught the message of freedom as thousands of people from young to old gathered for the Third Annual March for Life at the Capitol, in Hartford. Connecticut was one of the first five states to hold marches outside of D.C. As much as the Connecticut media would like to downplay this event, attendance is growing exponentially every year with strong engagement from young people. Chris Healy, executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference, said that the March for Life in Connecticut “has become one of the largest events in our state for any major public issue, and it reflects a growing awareness and support for honoring God’s greatest gift.”

Praise God! He is listening to our prayers, and He is always faithful. 

PRAY FOR CONNECTICUT

We hold our state prayer call on Monday evenings at 8 p.m. and ask that you join us in praying for:

• Connecticut to be restored to our godly foundation (Psalm 80:7);
• our Capitol in Hartford to be a house of prayer (Matthew 21:13);
• righteous leadership in all of our towns and cities (2 Chronicles 19:5–9).
  

Lift up Connecticut with your own prayers in the comments!

Mona Colwell is our Connecticut state prayer leader. In a recent IFA Action email, she invited Connecticut intercessors to voice their opposition to abortion. This is just one way to advocate for the state’s godly foundation by prioritizing life and liberty for all citizens. Photo Credit: Intercessors for America.