This article is the final part in our series on religious freedom in America. You can read part 1 by clicking here and part 2 by clicking here.

The question is often asked, “Can one person really make a difference?” The answer is yes, if that one person is willing to do something to make a difference. And generally, it is ordinary people taking a step out in faith and with courage who do so. 

View Comments (1)

Pray for your fellow intercessor.

One such ordinary person, a coach, was taking a knee on the 50-yard line, offering a silent prayer after high school football games, like he had done hundreds of other times, when it suddenly became a source of contention with his employer. He was instructed by the school district to pray away from public view, and when he refused, he was given a “Do Not Rehire” designation on his personnel record. In an interesting twist, his wife was the head of Human Resources of the school district at that time. 

Represented by attorneys from the First Liberty Institute, the coach sued the school district and wanted to know one thing: Did he have the Constitutional right to pray in public or not? Every court case over the eight-year-long legal battle resulted in a refusal to answer that one question until his case made it to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. SCOTUS rightly ruled that Coach Joe Kennedy did have the right to pray in public, affirming his and all of our First Amendment rights. 

Coach Joe and Denise Kennedy’s courage and perseverance through intense pressure, media, and public attention, and even death threats, led to the overturning of approximately 8,000 other First Amendment violation cases. His fortitude led to the overturning of the 1971 Lemon v. Kurtzman case. That case resulted in “The Lemon Test,” which was used to remove the Ten Commandments, nativity scenes, and other religious items from public spaces. 

One man’s willingness to not back down from the fight led to Americans having more religious freedom than we have seen in over 50 years! This is why we see the Ten Commandments coming back to schools and public spaces. This is why we need to stay in the spiritual war and not back down. We already have the right to religious freedom. Let us not relinquish that freedom. 

Another example of a landmark religious liberty case is Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, where SCOTUS ruled that for-profit corporations run by religious families are protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The Court found that the contraceptive mandate surrounding this case imposed a substantial burden on the owners’ religious exercise and that the government had failed to prove that the mandate was the “least restrictive means” of providing contraception to the employees. 

 In the case of Sherbert v. Verner, SCOTUS ruled that the government had to show a “compelling interest” to justify a law that burdened religious practice. This case established a high level of protection for religious practice. In this case, the Court ruled that denying unemployment benefits to a worker fired for refusing to work on her Sabbath violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. 

SCOTUS also ruled in favor of Jack Phillips, the baker from Colorado, who declined a request for a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Phillips held that baking a wedding cake for a same-sex couple would violate his sincerely held Christian beliefs. 

These are just a few examples of religious freedom cases here in America: ordinary people willing to stand up for their constitutional rights as ordained and granted by God. 

When we look back through the history of our nation, we find that at the time of the War for Independence:  

• A huge percentage of the populace was Christian. Some scholars estimate that to be more than 90%. 

• Most schoolteachers were pastors.  

• The main curriculum in schools was the Bible.  

• Nearly half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence attended colleges established to train pastors.  

• A majority of the original state constitutions required some sort of statement of Christian faith for those running for office. 

• There were many calls by the Continental Congress for days of humiliation, fasting, and prayer. One of the most notable dates recently was May 17, 2026, because it was exactly 250 years ago on that date that our nation was rededicated to the Lord.  

• The continent was dedicated to the Lord three times: 1565 in St. Augustine (now FL), 1607 in Cape Henry (now VA), and 1620 in Plymouth (now MA). 

Our nation has a rich Christian spiritual heritage that is woven throughout our U.S. Constitution, and every state Constitution references God. Our freedoms come from God, not man, which is why we must take peaceful but proactive action to protect those freedoms when they are violated.  

You may be asking yourself what you can do and what we all are supposed to be doing in this battle for religious freedom. Not everyone will be called to the battle at the same level as our Founding Fathers, Coach Joe Kennedy, or any of the other cases listed, but we all must be in the battle.  

Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Paul reminds followers of Christ in this verse to protect the spiritual freedom that has been given to us through our Lord and Savior. 

I implore everyone to pray and wait on the Lord. Seek Him for strength, for courage, for wisdom, and for revelation. Ask Him to guide you to and through the areas of spiritual battle and the exacting strategy for it. Join the army of intercessors at IFA. IFA has a plethora of resources available to assist you as well. Engage in your state’s IFA weekly prayer call, the national prayer calls, and webcasts. Help in getting a Policy and Prayer or Gatekeepers Conference scheduled and organized in your state.  

Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon, and it is one we must wield with fervency and perseverance. Praying for those in authority is a mandate that comes with a beautiful promise and blessing, as expressed in I Timothy 2:1-2 which says: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” 

I further urge you to meditate on Scripture and prayerfully seek the Lord for greater and deeper revelation related to our spiritual authority. If we do not understand the authority that has been granted to us, then we will not properly exercise that authority. 

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) 

A wonderful resource related to possessing the enemy’s gates and understanding our spiritual authority is the book I referenced in the first article in this series, Impacting Generations, by David Kubal.  

When you see something, you say something. When you see a violation of yours or others’ religious freedoms, you don’t stay silent; you speak up and speak out. This can be anything from speaking out at school board meetings, city council meetings, going to your elected officials, writing letters, etc. God gives you the authority to do so in a respectful and peaceful manner. The U.S. Constitution affirms your God-given rights to do so.  

This may even include approaching your church leaders if they have chosen to remain silent on religious freedom violations and other cultural evils. I understand how intimidating this may all sound, but when you look at the potential for the total loss of religious freedom, the cornerstone of this nation, you must speak up and speak out before it is too late.  

Every American should read and understand the United States Constitution. Taking a course to better understand and appreciate this foundational document is a good first step. It is also important to teach younger generations the truth of the scriptures and the founding of our nation and the Constitution. 

If we want to inspire the next generation to care deeply about religious freedom, we have to give them opportunities to see why it matters. An Average Joe movie watch party with Coach and Denise can spark powerful conversations, awaken a passion for freedom, and inspire young people to stand boldly for their faith and their rights. This movie is the real-life story of Coach and Denise and their landmark SCOTUS case. These two dynamic individuals have a particularly special gift for engaging and inspiring young and old alike. 

A powerful way to open up a discussion with the younger generations and set a passion in their spirits about religious freedom is to host an Average Joe movie watch party with Coach Joe and Denise Kennedy. This movie is the real-life story of Coach and Denise and their landmark SCOTUS case. Coach and Denise have a particularly special gift for engaging and inspiring young and old alike.  

Participate in ongoing learning by listening to trusted teachings from sources such as WallBuilders, American Center for Law and Justice, Judicial Watch, and, of course, Intercessors for America, to name just a few. Sign up to receive mailings from these organizations. Knowing and understanding your God-given rights is vital. 

Mobilize people to sign petitions, speak out together at meetings, bring your complaint to your state and/or federal representatives, and write letters to the editor regarding religious freedom violations.  Shine the light on it and don’t back down. Take it to Christian media.  

File a complaint with a state or federal agency regarding the religious freedom violation. Become an activist who campaigns for religious freedom. If necessary, file a lawsuit. There are religious freedom and First Amendment rights legal organizations that can help you.  

Create a ballot initiative in order to propose and enact a law or an amendment to the state constitution if you live in one of the 26 states that allow them.  

Elections have consequences. We also must vote in every election for candidates who uphold the Constitution as written and intended. This includes understanding the policies and platforms of the candidates so that you can be confident in who you are voting for. Encourage your friends, family, and fellow Christians to vote, which means that you must be willing to talk about governmental topics and the Constitution with them.  

Ask the Lord if He is calling you to one of the seven mountains of influence: religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business. Christians have the power to shift the culture and, with that, protect our God-given religious liberties. For a long time, there was a spiritual void in these mountains, which evil has seized the opportunity to fill. We can take those areas back.  

Thomas Jefferson said, “The constitutional freedom of religion is the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights.” 

Our Founding Fathers gave their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for us to have religious freedom. What will you do to keep the right to the free exercise of faith? 

• Pray that pastors boldly preach the truth on all matters related to this world and the next, mobilizing their flocks to peaceful action regarding religious freedom and all cultural evils.  

• Pray that the church rises up to its rightful place of authority as given by our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  

• Pray and ask the Lord what He wants you to do to protect religious freedom. 

• Pray that every Christian votes in every election for candidates who support and defend the U.S. Constitution as written and intended. 

• Pray for boldness and courage for all believers to take a stand for religious liberty. 

• Pray that complacency is lifted off the church and every believer.  

• Pray that the Lord extends mercy and grace to us for another 250 years of freedom and liberty here in America.  

How are you praying? Share your scriptures and prayers in the comments below.

April Walker loves God and seeks to serve Him in all she does. She is a proud mom of a 20-year old son, a PA State Co-leader for IFA, a former School Board Director, an organizer for NDOP and ASHP events, a GOP Committee member for Carbon County, an Occupational Therapist, and a vocalist. She feels that writing for and working with IFA brings all her passions together. Photo Credit: Chichi Onyekanne on Unsplash.