Did you hear about the major answered prayer of the week? On Wednesday of this week, the IRS reversed their decision and granted tax-exempt status to Christians Engaged. Why was this so important?

Recently, a Texas nonprofit organization, Christians Engaged, was denied tax-exempt status due to its stated activity as a nonprofit organization that exists to educate and empower Christians to pray for our nation and elected officials, vote, and be civically engaged. The IRS denied tax exempt status because they claimed this activity was too closely aligned with political activities of the Republican party.

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“The IRS states in an official letter that Biblical values are exclusively Republican. That might be news to President Biden, who is often described as basing his political ideology on his religious beliefs,” said Lea Patterson, Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Only a politicized IRS could see Americans who pray for their nation, vote in every election, and work to engage others in the political process as a threat. The IRS violated its own regulations in denying tax exempt status because Christians Engaged teaches biblical values.” You can read the IRS denial letter here. On June 16^th First Liberty Institute sent an appeal letter available here.

The Christian organization received help from First Liberty Institute, Republican lawmakers, including House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady of Texas and Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, who wrote a letter to the IRS Commissioner according to The Washington Examiner. “I am encouraged by the IRS’s decision to reverse course and grant Christians Engaged 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, and I congratulate Bunni Pounds and First Liberty on this hard fought victory for religious freedom,” Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said in a statement.

IFA reached out to Christians Engaged President Bunni Pounds, who is part of our network, and asked what she would like to share about this victory. She told us,  “I am incredibly thankful to the IRS for doing the right thing, and we look forward to continuing our mission of educating more followers of Jesus to pray for our nation and to be civically engaged. When we stand up, our republic works for all Americans.” She really wanted to emphasize this: “The prayers of the saints, individual Christians writing letters to the IRS, and godly elected officials speaking up created a reverse in a time frame that is really unheard of. This case was used by God to wake up the CHURCH again – but our hope is that our victory only pushes us all to build more habits of prayer, voting and engagement for the furtherance of our nation.”

The fight for religious freedom is far from over.

As United States Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback shared exclusively with IFA, “Religious freedom is the foundational human right. Sadly, it is also among the most abused in the world. The abuse of religious freedom takes many forms, from blocking access to religious material online to putting someone to death for simply converting from one faith to another. No matter what form it takes, the persecution of people’s rights to peacefully practice their faith is wrong.”

In Michigan, sadly, following one’s religious conscience as a United States citizen has brought many to court. In the case of Country Mill Farms V. City of East Lansing, an organic farmer was banned from attending a local farmers market where he did business for many years. City officials banned him after finding that he believed the marriage union is between one man and woman.

In Atlanta, Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran employment was terminated because of his Christian beliefs. Mr. Cochran wrote a men’s devotional on his personal time that mentioned his Christian views on sex. Even though the investigation found him not guilty of discrimination, he was fired from his position. Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit against the City on behalf of Mr. Cochran. The City of Atlanta paid $1.2 million in a settlement, vindicating Chief Cochran’s First Amendment rights.

Another ongoing religious liberty case involves a Christian graphic designer who specializes in custom websites. In 303 Creative V. Elenis  Lori Smith wanted the freedom of creating websites consistent with her religious conviction without being penalized by the government. According to ADF, “Lori learned of Colorado’s “Anti-Discrimination Act” that would force her to create messages with which she disagreed.

In the case of Denton v. Thrasher a college student was removed as President of the Student Senate by the University because he shared his Catholic beliefs with other students. The First Amendment to the Constitution ensures this student’s right to share his faith. Eventually, a court declared that Jack’s free speech rights were violated.

Another well-known case was that of a third grader Lydia Booth. School officials asked her to remove the mask that said “Jesus Loves Me.” Alliance for Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit against the school district.

First Liberty took on the case of Chaplain Andrew Calvert, a decorated soldier who expressed on his Facebook page his religious views about an article published on the Army Times. Chaplain Calvert received a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) that was challenged by First Liberty Institute and the formal reprimand was reversed. Chaplain Calvert said, “I am grateful for this favorable decision, and I look forward to continue meeting the spiritual needs of the soldiers with whom I serve.”

The First Amendment of the Constitution protects freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assembly, the right to petition, and the freedom to protest. This amendment also protects the establishment of religion. It excludes the government from creating or favoring any faith. All these protections are very important to ALL of us. Understanding the Bill of Rights and prayer is important for intercessors to carry on an educated debate and to defend your legal right to practice your religious beliefs freely in the United States of America.

Former Ambassador Brownback will be hosting the first annual IRF Summit next week, July 13-15 in Washington, D.C.  The summit’s mantra is “religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, all the time.” Lawmakers, civil society members, and faith leaders will put forward their proposals for activism and discuss concrete ways toward one main goal: building a grassroots movement to eradicate religious persecution.  The summit is considered the epicenter of activism to take serious action. Serious action means real dialogue about intractable problems related to religious freedom work around the world.  Please pray for this Summit to achieve the goal of promoting and protecting religious freedom around the world.

Pray for the continual preservation of free speech and religious freedom in the United States.

Be sure to visit the new Pray for America’s Leaders website to pray for your state leaders and those from all over the Nation!

And join us live on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:15 pm ET —IFApray.org/LIVE or (713) 775-7430.

How are you praying about religious liberties in America? Please share in the comments section.