There is so much happening in this nation right now. Often, as an influx of new information comes in, some information can end up discarded as yesterday’s news. But our borders remain in crisis mode. We continue to see record-breaking numbers of apprehensions and getaways. There is still so much we do not hear reported on local media, and there is so much to pray about. Will you continue to pray with us?

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

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Todd Lamphere, chief of staff for Paula White Ministries and vice president of government relations at CityServe International, was a recent IFA Policy & Prayer guest speaker. He shared insights about the border and about how we can continue to intercede effectively for it.

“Everyone has a lens to view the border through,” he said. “With some, it’s through compassion, and [with] others it’s political, but everyone has a lens.”

Here are some statistics and four “lenses” that every believer can consider and use for prayer.

The lens of security

We are on course to exceed 2 million apprehensions as the springtime sees skyrocketing numbers of border crossings. In 2021, there were 405 Chinese nationals apprehended at our borders. In just two years, we have seen that number rise drastically — to 4,100 Chinese nationals.

During the Obama and Trump administrations, only about five people on the FBI Most-Watched List for terrorists were trying to cross our borders. This year, at least 70 people on that list have infiltrated our borders. As the numbers of related getaways increase, our security risks rise correspondingly.

Pray that those who enter our country with nefarious purposes and who compromise our security will be apprehended and dealt with.

“ … no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17).

The lens of safety

Between 60% and 80% of the females who cross the borders have been sexually assaulted, including those who are underage. Adults and minors have to go through debt assessment to come to the U.S. The criminal cartels and coyotes have to be paid before they will let anyone cross over. This is where human trafficking comes into play, as they have learned that human smuggling and trafficking is more profitable than drugs. Some 75 % of unaccompanied minors fail to report for the U.S. court dates that would place them in the system for social services.

The way it works: At level 1, a minor would be released to a parent living in the U.S.; at level 2, the minor would be released to a family member here; level 3 means the minor would be released to a vetted friend; but with level 4, the minor has no one here, which places these minors at high risk for trafficking. Instead of being protected, they end up in bondage to the criminal cartels and placed in “stash houses” in the cities, from which they are trafficked. The only ones profiting from unaccompanied minors are the criminal cartels.

Pray for those being exploited and trafficked — that they would be rescued from the stash houses and brought into safe havens.

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs” (Psalm 12:5).

The lens of sanity

Our border agents often spend months away from their own families while trying to keep our borders safe. They are having their rights stripped away. They are being taken off the field and put behind desks or in detention centers. Today, there are fewer than 20,000 border agents. Think about that — fewer than 20,000 agents even as we are on course to exceed 2 million apprehensions this year. The emotional and mental health of these agents is horrendously strained. This past year alone, 22 service members committed suicide. Imagine how hard all of this is for them and for their families.

Pray for these border agents: They are understaffed, underappreciated, overworked, and overwhelmed. Pray that they would encounter the presence and peace of the living God in their personal lives, and that He would restore them.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30 NIV).

The lens of the Spirit

The only way we will see any change is if the policies change. And for the policies to change, we must fervently pray. Pray into the policies that affect our borders. Pray for our legislators, that their decisions would proceed from sane thinking that benefits the nation.

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. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1–4 NIV).

We all know the Great Commission as cited in Matthew 28:19, where Christ says: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This is His calling for every believer. Some will embrace this call and literally go to the nations, but given our present border crisis, it seems the nations are also coming here to us. Todd calls this the inverted gospel.

The inverted gospel is presenting an opportunity to every believer to be the hands and feet of Jesus. What will you do? Will you view these people through a political lens, or through the lens of the Spirit?

Pray that those crossing our borders would learn that Christ died for them. Pray that they might experience the love of Jesus.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35).

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing (Deuteronomy 10:18 NIV).

Let’s pray together now:

Father, we come with a heavy heart concerning our borders. The needs are so great, but You are even greater, so we appeal to You. Lord, we pray over the border workers and their families, that they might meet You. Give rest to their weary souls.  

Deliver the orphans and everyone who is being victimized at the evil hands of the cartels. Bring waves of healing to the people who have been sexually assaulted in this vile activity.  Judge the guilty, Lord.

But we pray as the nations keep coming to us that You would help us set aside our politics and just be the Church. 

Deliver us from those who are bent on doing evil. Foil every plan of the Enemy that his wicked ones are plotting on our soil. Bring their plans to nothing, and cause division in the Enemy camp.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Please share your own prayers about the border crisis below. 

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. Photo Credit: Getty Images.