The Missouri Capitol is in a battle over initiative petition (IP) reform, with a bill that ended up getting buried in 2023. As Missouri law currently stands, signature petitions can get a measure put on the ballot in general elections if there are enough signatures. This pits the urban vote against the rural vote and diminishes equal representation across the state, a problem that the current IP reform bill would solve.

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Currently, there are 17 IPs aimed at bringing abortion back into our state — two petitions are collecting signatures primarily in St. Louis and Kansas City. Given the threat of abortion returning to our state, we are convinced that our system of initiative petitions needs to be fixed right now. This reform bill must be passed in 2024.

To compound things, we have a broken lawmaking system. How did this happen? Over time, laws crept in that gave all the power of our Senate and House to a select few. This is a pay-to-play setting. Campaign funders and political action committees hold great powers of control. Our state has a super-majority of Republicans, but many of them do not adhere to the party platform. 

Thankfully, God has provided us with a few who are willing to hold the line — our beloved Freedom Caucus. The members of the Freedom Caucus have foreheads of flint, and they are pro-life. They have filibustered to get IP reform into committee. That legislation is now out of committee and ready to go to the Senate. On Feb. 1, the Senate met for less than an hour, and no bills came up. We believe that lots of off-the-record meetings took place that day. We expect that IP reform will soon come to the Senate floor and that Sen. Coleman will present it. The bill has a long way to go, but we remain hopeful.

Yesterday, we rallied with about 400 others at the Capitol to stand with the Freedom Caucus. Many were astounded at the turnout. John and Skye drove in from Kansas, and several others came in from St. Louis side. Larry drove the church van so we could help carpool. Verna, Michelle, and Maurie were at home praying and fasting. 

Not many people understand IP reform. Two weeks ago, our IFA Missouri state prayer group hosted Jeremy Jacobs, regional director of Bound4Life, on our noon prayer call. Jacobs provided information to direct us about how to pray and take action. People in our state are not hearing about this issue and what is at stake. 

Sadly, there is dark money coming in, and campaign committees have set up a pay-to-play for our elected officials. Those officials who do not “play by the rules” — as dictated by the few in power — receive no position or committee assignments. Senators Eigel, Koenig, Brattin, and Hoskins have been kicked out of the parking garage by the leadership. They’ve lost their committee chairmanships and have even been kicked off committees completely. Now, they believe, they’ll have their office furniture removed, and they’ll possibly lose their offices in the state House. 

All of this is happening at lightning speed. We welcome any help we can get to shout it from the housetops to all of Missouri. Missouri intercessors are a humble, fervent bunch who love our Messiah and claim our land for God. We believe that God will turn what Satan intends for the demise of future generations in Missouri to not only save lives, but also bring integrity back into our House.

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(Pam Zook leads IFA’s Missouri state prayer group. Photo Credit: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash)