Lesson Learned: The Importance of Praying for Our Officials
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Lesson Learned: The Importance of Praying for Our Officials
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I didn’t vote for Sen. John Fetterman. From the start of his run for Senate, I never prayed for him, either. Not even once. I did not like him. I hated his politics. I disliked his whole hoodie-wearing thing, which he had done even in his official photo as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. But just before Fetterman got elected, he suffered a stroke. And soon after he took office, he was hospitalized for depression. Hearing those things brought a sadness to my heart. And God started dealing with me. I began to pray for Fetterman. I confessed on my IFA state prayer group call that I felt compassion for Fetterman, and I offered up a prayer for him then and there.
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Last October, Hamas perpetrated a brutal, demonic attack that yanked Israel into war. And a venomous antisemitism began to spread worldwide. Fetterman began speaking out forcefully against that antisemitism, and he demanded that Hamas be held accountable for its terrorism. And he did this in the face of severe opposition from many in his own political party. He refused to back down. Suddenly, everything changed. Now, I not only felt compassion for Fetterman, but I also respected him. Deeply. I wrote to him to thank him for his brave stand, to tell him of my respect for him, and to express my appreciation for his service. And I told him that I was now praying for him, and that I intended to continue doing that. Here is Sen. Fetterman’s reply:
Dear Mr. Ortiz:
Thank you for reaching out to my office. I appreciate hearing from you.
I condemn the horrific attacks launched by Hamas on October 7, which have led to immense human suffering and the loss of countless lives. More than two months into this war, it’s clear that a path to peace in the region cannot include Hamas.
I applaud the tireless work of the Biden Administration and our partners in the region to facilitate temporary ceasefire agreements, which have enabled the release of hostages and the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. These agreements were a huge deal, but we know that Hamas is still holding over 120 innocent people. I won’t rest until they all return home safely.
While those temporary ceasefire agreements were a welcome development, I do not believe now is the time for a permanent ceasefire. Hamas has repeatedly broken previous ceasefire agreements, giving us little reason to believe it would abide by the terms of a new one. As its leadership has said itself, Hamas wants to destroy Israel and its people, and it won’t stop until it achieves that goal.
It’s also important to remember that this is a war between Israel and Hamas – not Israel and Palestinians. We know that Hamas’ extremist ideology and its thirst for violence don’t represent the thoughts, feelings, and aspirations of the Palestinian people as a whole. I am devastated by the immense loss of innocent civilian life, and I don’t assign any less value to the lives of Israeli or Palestinian children than I would my own children. I also know that Israel’s responsibility to respond to Hamas’ horrific attacks does not absolve our ally from their moral and legal responsibility to minimize the deaths of innocent Gazans. I remain committed to ensuring that we are getting humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza – and that this aid matches the overwhelming need.
The path to peace is clear: Hamas must release those still being held hostage and surrender. Until then, Israel has a responsibility to address the threat posed by Hamas. As long as Hamas is able to operate in Gaza, Israelis and Palestinians won’t be able to coexist peacefully, with secure and sovereign states of their own.
Here at home, we can’t allow the evils of antisemitism and Islamophobia to take root in our communities. This sort of bigotry is meant to divide us, and we all have a responsibility to call it out when we see it. No matter where you’re from or who you worship, one thing is clear: hate and violent extremism have no place in our commonwealth or our nation.
Please know that I continue to monitor the ongoing conflict closely and will use the tools at my disposal to bring home any Pennsylvanians who remain in the region. …
Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts. Please do not hesitate to reach out in the future about other issues of importance to you. …
Sincerely,
John Fetterman
Do you have a leader in your state or district like John Fetterman who needs prayer? Share your prayers and scriptures for them below.
(Photo Credit: Governor Tom Wolf from Harrisburg, PA – 2019 Inauguration of Governor Tom Wolf and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
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Delivered from the wicked and evil people: We as Christians must build our assurances that God is our defense and guide us in our prayers- “ 3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.” Faith is a Key Word That is being used today- instead of the words saved being spoken, being saved will get us to the gates of Heaven but “ But without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.“ This is why prayer is so important as reading the scriptures are. Hebrews-11-6—-In order to link this altogether this scripture is important—“ And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.“ Mark 11-22-24. Stand confidently today that God is faithful to Your prayers. We thank You Heavenly Father for Your words of Faith and The understanding that sometimes we do not think clearly, but You always make a way to steer us straight. 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️
I believe that, as the Holy Spirit gives me revelation on how to pray for the Palestinian people, I will be more effective in my prayers.
I think it is interesting concerning the 200 Palestinian men, who all had dreams of Jesus at the same time. I am sure that is important to be praying for them, because they may be part of God‘s plan to help their own people come to know, Jesus.
I think it’s important to know that the Hamas have demonized the children of the Palestinians through educating them in violence. Examples are teaching them to use weapons, how to saw off the heads of their stuff to animals and toys as a form of behead training, learning slogans and songs of sacrificing their lives for the sake of their cause. It is not yet perfectly clear to me if Palestinian parents willingly agreed to let their children be educated, in such a way, or if they were terrorized into doing that. Maybe both things were going on. The truthful clarity of that is yet to be seen for me.
But it is a heinous reality that’s such a death culture can be located right in Israel’s backyard, and that people over the world are believing only one side of the story because of narratives that have been doctored by people that are ignorant or just flat out antiSemitic.
One thing I do feel good about praying is that God would sift and separate the wheat from the chaff in lies of the Palestinian people as a whole, and that he would separate the tares from the wheat as well. Obviously, they are in bondage and being demonized by powers and principalities and strong men in high places.
I think it’s important to really seek God for his strategy and will in prayer to defeat the powers of darkness over this culture of people. Hamas needs to be eradicated. People need to be spiritually reprogrammed by the work of the Holy Spirit.
I too repent of disliking and not praying for Mr. Fetterman. This story of his dramatic change clearly shows what God can do when we praywith sincere and open hearts of true and godly love. I plan to change my ways and be open to the fact that God loves everyone and we all are sinners and all need prayer.
I am convicted as well. Thank you for your transparency to admit this. God will reveal whoever else to pray for. Jeremiah 33:3
His letter of response showed compassion and insight. Here’s a sheep in wolves clothing, we need more like him in leadership
Lord God Almighty, this country is unfortunately all about division based on what political side your supporting. Citizens and especially government officials are at a mental “civil war” status which creates chaos for everyone!! Ìt’s long overdue for all of us to humble ourselves and pray for anyone in power. Only Jesus Christ can solve this huge problem that continues to grow and breaks down the moral of America 🇺🇸!
awesome motivation to pray for our political leaders!
Father, put a desire in your children to pray consistently for our leaders. I ask that you give them wisdom concerning the needs of the people and this nation as a whole. Please put a desire in their hearts to seek you for wisdom and guidance. Thank you Father, in Jesus name, Amen.
Father we pray for the leaders of Russia amidst the threats of nuclear strikes on Washington DC and other cities. Penetrate their hearts with your presence, conviction and restraint. Praying also for the leaders of our nation and President Trump to handle this situation that would bring Godly wisdom and resolve.
Thank You, LORD, for raising up not only Senator Fetterman, but MORE Godly men and women to stand alongside him in supporting these efforts and protect them with Your unfailing love, grace, and mercy
Please join me in praying for Governor Tina Kotek in Oregon, she really needs Holy Spirit’s conviction that leads to genuine repentance, in Jesus name!
I truly appreciate the Senators response. I am an independent voter but. Christian first. American second. Pease help America , Israel and all the innocent! God planted you in that office. Embrace our borders. May God protect you!!
Thank you for this eye-opener prayer! I’m on board!
Please pray for my senator, Ted Cruz. He is fighting for our country and is facing strong opposition from Soros funded rivals. He is up for te-ekection this year.
Thanks to all who will join this spiritual warfare fight with me.
I thank God for Sen. Cruz. I have watched him in several sessions and he is a warrior for the truth.
May God bless him, family all that his hands touch exceedingly and abundantly more than he can hope or imagine. Amen
Maybe your prayers for Senator Fetterman enabled God to give him the strength to speak up for Israel. We can learn a lesson here about praying for those with whom we don’t agree.
We have hundreds of gov’t officials who do not know Christ…and it shows in their decisions & conversations. They may never come to Christ but God’s command to us is clear. *Pray for them*. Ask God to help you pray for them, because if we’re really being honest, we cannot tolerate a lot of them. Many of them do things that cause us to lean towards hatred of them instead of supporting them or being obedient to the command to pray for them. . Sometimes we just give up on prayer for them due to frustration. Again, we must remember that many are lost & do not know Christ. Yes, there are some who have willingly chosen to reject Christ & actually serve Satan by choice. While I don’t think there are a lot of them, they do so quietly & their influences show up in horrible legislation. As the body of Christ, before praying for the lost that are in leadership, we MUST keep at the forefront that “we do not fight against flesh & blood but against the prince of the power of the air & the influences of hell”. I remember a couple decades ago a well known preacher asking God for a glimpse into the unseen, spirit world of what was affecting people. God allowed him to see, in part, demonic presences following people around, taunting them, influencing, etc. He said what he saw was horrible, yet it caused him to pray differently for people. We have to be the same. We must pray relentlessly that God will change the hearts & minds of our leaders who do not know Him. We can also continue to pray for the removal & replacement of those who refuse to do what “they know they should do”. Willful stubbornness (I won’t listen) & chosen ignorance against God’s ways are cause for removal.
As His people, let us ask God to help us pray for those…we struggle to pray for. As we do, God WILL begin to perform miracles.
Ditto!
Thank you for this articulate prayer! 💕
Dear Lord, Your followers, your Ekklesia in Minnesota, cry out for a divine reversal in our Governor Tim Walz and also Senator Amy Klobuchar. We pray for their hearts to turn to you and to hear from you, Lord, what their next steps, decisions, and moves should be. We lift them up to you and pray for them to know and follow your ways and your Word. Thank you Father God for touching them in a new way today.
Amen and Amen
Thank you for this article. I lift up Senator Brown from Ohio that God would touch his heart in the remainder of this term. Let him seek your wisdom and make his decisions based on what you say, not what is in his mind. Thank you that you hear our prayers and thank you for what you have done in John Fetterman.
I too did not like that John Fetterman won the election in Pa. However, I believe that God is not finished with this Senator yet. He is working in His life as with many of us to bring us into a closer walk with our Heavenly Father. Tommy Tuberville is our Senator in the State of Alabama. I will uplift him as well as many others in prayer than God’s will be done in this evil time in which we live. I have read the end of The Book, God has Won! All the Praise and Honor And Glory goes to Jesus!
I sent a return email responding to the “He gets us” article, but I am not sure that was the correct way to respond Here is what my email said:
Good morning,
I watched the piece on “he gets us”. I think the most important thing with this, that was not said in your video, is the body language. This foot extended provides us with a flaunting pose, rather than a surrender. I see the angle of the body also, as though this act is “due” to the recipient. This is very much a posture I see with gay men. I don’t know any other way to say this.
I would not be surprised if gay men are now performing this act and think it is okay. It would be a blasphemy performed without the sacrament of Christ being the definition of their faith. This Holy act should resonate throughout the body of Christ, not to the world. The world cannot have the proper interpretation without knowing our Lord. Beyond accepting Christ, we must seek to know him. I think whoever made this ad is trying to merchandise Christ–religisize him. Cannot and should not be done.
In the attachment, you see a woman with a hostile look having her foot washed. This is not what Christ was about. Even when Christ encountered the woman at the well, he corrected her and told her to sin no more. That should be the first message to ask for forgiveness. The act of repentance. This foot wash is not salvation. Not the surrender that leads us to wanting to know Christ all the more.
Jesus washed his disciples feet in love that extended to the loss of his life and shedding of his blood. The disciples would not have leaned back as though getting a service in a salon. They would have been humbled and watching the process, engaged with their Lord.
Thanks for your work. I hope that my comments are pertinent.
In Christ,
Anne Daniecki
“Repentance is not a work we do to earn salvation. No one can repent and come to God unless God pulls that person to Himself (John 6:44). Repentance is something God gives—it is only possible because of His grace (Acts 5:31; 11:18). No one can repent unless God grants repentance. All of salvation, including repentance and faith, is a result of God drawing us, opening our eyes, and changing our hearts. God’s long suffering leads us to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), as does His kindness (Romans 2:4)………It is also changing your mind about Jesus Christ—no longer is He to be mocked, discounted, or ignored; He is the Savior to be clung to; He is the Lord to be worshiped and adored.” gotquestions.com
2 Timothy 3:16 Complete Jewish Bible
All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Complete Jewish Bible
For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God’s power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are God Almighty and You know (perfectly) the heart’s motivations and plans. Our nation is corrupted as are our we. We call Jesus Christ Savior but follow Him at our convenience. I pray You will draw us Lord. I pray You will cause us to examine our lives and as we do, place Your finger on our sin and grant us repentance. I pray You will arm us with the weapons we have in Christ, to demolish everything that rises up against Truth. And I pray we will seek Your Word to teach us, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. I believe if we say we have no sin, we are lying. Please help John Fetterman, Thom Tills, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Mike Johnson, Janet Yellen, Xavier Becerra, Alejandro Mayorkas, Donald Trump, Joe Biden….me. I ask this and so much more in the Name of Jesus, the Savior, the Lord who we worship and adore. Amen
Excellent & inspiring article. Thank you for sharing.
Although prayer for our elected officials or even anyone going through health struggles as Mr Fetterman has is always appropriate, I would caution against taking that as a sign that he can be trusted
As some of the other people commenting, here have said he is always praising the Biden administration, and there is absolutely nothing to praise there
In recent years, that world of politics has become so corrupt, and I believe that they so desperately want to secure Pennsylvania, that they are trying to fool some people with Fetterman, and he will remain as deeply left-wing, as he always was so be wise
In agreement.
Am grateful for the “public support” of Israel Fetterman has voiced. I am CAUTIOUSLY optimistic that he sincerely proceeded to this stance because it is the right decision and not a ploy.
In his book, We Will Not Be Silenced”, Erwin Lutzer writes, “Propaganda takes on many different forms. Sometimes it hides the truth; sometimes it uses half-truths; sometimes it distorts the truth by selective use of facts or history, or it uses one- sided assertions.”
I am reminded that the adversary prowls about AND entices people not with death and destruction but with lies, deceit and promises of “good” outcomes. Evil has done so since Eden.
In Fetterman’s staffer response (staffers do not help with responses, they write the responses) there is no thank you for your prayers – just as Katy N. has said – only accolades for this current administration. It is not only what is said, but what is also not said.
Yes, I pray to Yahweh Tseboath, LORD of Hosts, who leads a Great Army for Fetterman and all those who sit in seats that govern us; I also pray that those who are criminal, corrupt, self-serving etc be exposed , removed and replaced with godly men in women whose faith and salvation rest and proclaim in the LORD Jesus Christ.
I also felt the same way. Forgive us LORD for not seeing this man through Your eyes and heart. About a year ago on the night watch the LORD had me pray for all my PA officials including governor, who I also never voted for, I have been obedient to do so daily. I live and serve in Kenya, Africa. I just came home about two weeks ago. As I was waiting in the airport in Nairobi I was seating next to a gentleman from Montana. We discussed how his casual appearance as he sits in a seat of authority was hard for us. I also write to Senator Fetterman on lots of issues. He always replies.
GOD can indeed turn the heart of a man. May he stand strong, LORD. Give him dreams and visions of what is in Your heart and plan for Israel.
I have written numerous letters to Fetterman regarding bills, telling him how he needs to vote (my right as his constituent). He always responds with a “canned” letter which ALWAYS praises Biden. That there tells me he is not one to believe or trust. While his letter (surely not written by him) makes him sound like a good guy, I do not believe he is. But I do believe he needs prayer. We are to pray for our enemies, those in great opposition to our values and beliefs. Therefore, “Lord, thank you that we can come to your throne and petition for anything and everything. I lift up John Fetterman and ask that you lead him, guide him, and bless him. Only you know a man’s true heart and only you can change that heart when he is willing. Pour out your Holy Spirit over him that he may know you and praise you. In Jesus’ precious, holy, and powerful name, Amen.”
Thank you for your truthfulness. A good reminder to us all.
Praying
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12
Matthew 5:43-45
Truly, that was inspirational to read! After IFA had us send letters to our givernment officials, Senatir Fetterman answered me as well. I know the Aides help with the answers to tge constituents letters, however, the words were very similar to those in tbe above article!
I do believe Senator Fetterman has had a ” turning” in his heart and spirit. We absolutely need to keep praying for our servants, that were put in office, by not only, we the people, but ultimately by God!
Recall Romans 12- 13, these two chapters are ecxellent in teaching us responsibilities toward one another, and our governing authorities.
Rom.13: 2
“Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves.”
And, further…vs. 6-7, why we pay taxes, which we despise, but really God tells us why they must be paid!
So many wonderful lessons to be learned, from Paul through the Holy Spirit’s guidance!
Finally, again in Romans 9:14-18, a brief glimpse into God’s mercy and compassion, including why He raised up Pharaoh to be a leader and too hardened his heart!
vs. 17″ For the scripture says to Pharaoh, ” Even for this same pupose I have raised you up, that I might show power in you, and that My name might be declared in all the earth.” ”
Amazing , Awesome is Our God!
Sometimes, we just can not see the whole plan in the midst of the moment, But, God is with us and our leaders and servants !
May God bless them, and you all throughout these troublesome times!
Thank You, Lord, for the courageous stand that Mr. Fetterman has taken condemning the terrorist group Hamas. Initially, I had some extreme reservations about this man, and his integrity. Please forgive me, Lord. I thank You for Your servant, and his strong stance toward Israel, especially now, when they need our nation to stand behind them in this terrible situation that they find themselves facing. Thank You, Jesus.
Wow, that’s great you listened to the Lord, repented, starting praying for the Senator and that he wrote you back.
Praying for our officals is not a small thing, or even a personal opinion.
The Lord had Paul urge Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray for and thank Poppa G-D for them.
Can you imagine what could happen if we all prayed for them?
Thank you, this is a call to higher ground as a believer. I also have not prayed for my US senators in a long time because I wrote them off internally for their different views. May God give Me. Ossoff and Mr. Warnock from GA wisdom in every decision and revelation of the value of life in the womb. Lord, conviction them and give them courage to do right. Lead them away from temptation, and deliver them from evil.
Thank you for inspiring me to pray for all of our politians, especially the ones that we do not agree with.