Did you know the history of Intercessors for America?

Intercessors for America (IFA) is a 501(c)(3) ministry organization and was founded in 1973 when God impressed upon the hearts of a group of godly, respected men the necessity of prayer and fasting. The nation was experiencing a plethora of problems. The Watergate scandal, Vietnam War, Arab oil embargo, Roe v. Wade, a growing acceptance of drug use, and other challenges were changing the way Americans lived and thought.

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A group of Christians at a teaching conference in Florida focused on “prayer for the nations.” Challenged by the fresh and extraordinary teachings of the conference leaders, Derek Prince and Ern Baxter, a half dozen men were chosen to steward the movement of prayer and fasting for the nation. This group would become Intercessors for America. One of the first activities of the organization took place at a large dining table where John Talcott and his wife, Roselyn, wrote and assembled a prayer letter. This prayer letter was mailed to a group of like-minded people who recognized the need for God to intervene in U.S. governmental and cultural issues. From these beginnings, IFA has grown to impact the masses. Our leadership is comprised of staff and a board of directors, some of whom have been with the ministry since its inception.

IFA GUIDELINES FOR POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT

The Board of Directors has adopted guidelines to help us stay focused in ways that align with our organizational purpose. While topics we address may also be areas of political focus, our desire is to underscore biblical positions, not political positions. Our mission is to inform, mobilize, and connect a growing community of people praying for our nation. Following are dos and don’ts that help define our intended path:

• IFA always looks to prayer as our first and primary response to any issue. Our actions always stem from our faith in God, with our conviction that “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

• IFA encourages people to put feet to their prayers by prayer walking and other prayer activities. Prayer is never to become secondary.

• IFA perceives prayer as a powerful strategic weapon, not a passive response; we believe prayer to be a highly leveraged means whereby God involves us to disable major spiritual strongholds.

• IFA works to stay on the offensive, inviting the prevailing power and authority of the Holy Spirit to drive systemic change, rather than merely react through defensive human measures.

• IFA provides biblical insight to engage prayer for social and political issues, calling forth results that align with Scripture – such as consistently valuing and speaking up for the life of the unborn.

• IFA strives for interaction with political leaders that demonstrates grace, patience, and understanding, emphasizing to them that our organizational mission is prayer.

• IFA reaches out to believers of different political affiliations with the goal of unifying through our bond in Christ and our desire to understand, embrace, and apply biblical principles.

• IFA points to and learns from those who have effectively engaged prayer, looking to those who have fostered and utilized prayer to birth awakenings and impact entire nations for good.

• IFA provides intercessors with current news and relates it to God’s will so they may effectively:

• • Pray “Thy will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
  • Pray that the government on earth will align with biblical principles.
  • Pray to bind the forces of evil and defeat ungodly influences.
  • Pray to discern who the leaders are who know and follow God’s will.
  • Pray that advancing unrighteousness be replaced with those seeking righteousness.
  • Pray that righteousness be promoted in: political platforms, policies, and programs.
  • Pray to encourage Christians to personally seek elective office, become informed to effectively influence public policy, and support candidates who uphold biblical principles.

• IFA is not, and will never, become connected with a candidate or campaign for political office.
• IFA does not, and will never, adopt themes or slogans of political parties or politicians.
• IFA does not, and will never, conflate the actions of individuals as those formally taken by IFA, ensuring the protection of individual liberties by keeping them clearly distinct from those of IFA.

• IFA will never move away from God’s leading by taking matters into its own hands; we believe prayer requires perseverance with the assurance that God is at work even when we don’t see it.

• IFA will never become so absorbed with the political process that we forget our calling as intercessors; we rest in the confidence that as we lift things to the Lord, He will answer.