If you poll the majority of Americans, most of us want to simply live our lives, raise our families and serve God. But as government has grown in dominance and control of our nation and its people, we can no longer remain in the background or remain silent.

Instead we must act.

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How do we do that? According to Jesse Leon Rodgers, “By getting the church and its people back into government rather than the silent posture we have taken over the years.”

Rodgers is doing that very thing through a biblical, reformational form of city governance which is based upon the model of the governing elders of the ancient cities of Israel and the function of New Testament Eldership. Rodgers is chairman of the Oklahoma Watchmen on the Wall Network; the pastor’s network of the Family Research Council and founder and president of City Elders an organization that is introducing this biblical structure in the state of Oklahoma.

And the transformation taking place is amazing. So far, forty-two of seventy-seven counties in Oklahoma have embraced this new structure in which governing city leaders sit at the table to work side-by-side with Christian leaders in their city to bring strength and transformation.

Who and what are city elders? They are shepherds, civil servants, and stewards. They are experienced, anointed, and recognized leaders from the three of the primary spheres of God-ordained authority; the Church, civil government, and business.

As Rodgers and his team continue working to introduce this model to every county in Oklahoma, they are already receiving requests to assist in other states as well. Why is this important?

The truth is, we’ve been lied to that the church and its people are to remain separate from government. It’s not in our Constitution and it’s not in the Bible. Instead, within the pages of the Bible, we see example after example of religious leaders taking on the role to assist in the organization and development of governing the people or speaking into governmental leaders.

When the task of governing the Israelites became too burdensome, Moses called upon the Lord who said, “The Lord said to Moses: ‘Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.’” (Num 11:16-17)

Daniel and Joseph of biblical days both served as advisors to government leaders.

And the Apostle Paul, as a religious leader of his day, referred to government laws and interacted with government leaders. (Acts 16:37, 22:25)

So, as Christians how do we transform our nation? State-by-state, county-by-county, city-by-city.

According to Mark Nittle, transition director for Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, “We don’t need a revitalization plan. We need an infrastructure plan. What we currently have is not sustainable. For example, in Oklahoma in many of our county seats, the government is the largest employer! Our Constitution’s language is outdated and needs to be updated. Our school system needs to be reorganized and restructured to better utilize the funds available.”

Although Nittle was referring specifically to Oklahoma, this can be said for almost every state in our nation. As this is addressed, we will begin to see real change.

Our country is in crisis and on the verge of socialist takeover. This is in part because the biblical example of Christian elders and leaders in government positions has been abandoned because of the misuse and deceptive interpretation of “separation of church and state,” which Jefferson used to describe the need to protect the Church and religion from the government, not the reverse.

What can we do?

1. Pray.

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. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (I Tim 2:1-3)

We need to recognize that we have a biblical mandate to pray for those in leadership over us. It doesn’t say only for those you like or agree with, but for ALL who are in authority.

It also doesn’t mean you pray against them. We are to pray for them.

Also, pray for Rodgers, City Elders, and other Christian leaders who are working behind the scenes to support our government, our leaders and help bring about transformation.

2. Get involved.

For far too long the Church has stood on the sidelines as our governments and schools have been taken over by those who do not fear or reverence God. We can no longer simply point at the problem, but must be willing to join in to help bring change. How can we do that?

Download our free prayer, and action, resource, INTERCESSORY ACTIVISM.
It is full of ideas of how to get involved in government.

3. Give.

I was talking with a courageous woman who had recently made the decision to enter a tough political contest against a well-known and long-running Democrat in a Democrat dominated area in New York. It is a courageous move and an up-hill-climb due to the district she is in.

As I talked with her she said, “People often tell me they are behind me and will pray for me. And I need that! But I also need finances. We are working to get a website up, flyers in the mail, and have to pay for television and radio ads. It takes money and I can’t do this without help.”

We have to realize that prayer by itself is not enough. Faith without works is dead. We need to open our wallets and put our money where our mouth is. If there is a God-fearing candidate willing to put their name and time on the line to help bring about transformation, the least we can do is get behind them financially to help them.

4. Spread the Word.

A brave young woman in the city where I live courageously ran for a position on our liberal-dominated school board in the last election. She campaigned hard. Unfortunately, because it wasn’t a presidential campaign, most people weren’t listening. Although she worked hard, she lost.

Later, when I posted about the loss and frustration of the lack of voter turnout, numerous Christians responded by saying they didn’t realize the election was even taking place!

This is an area in which everyone can help.

How? We can spread the word. Talk about upcoming elections. Be informed. Search out when elections in your local area are taking place. Be there and take others with you.

Talk about candidates and why you support them to your family, friends, and those you meet. Be willing to engage in conversations, rather than remain silent.

Some may say, it’s a personal issue, so we shouldn’t get involved.

Is it a personal issue? Yes.

I take it personally when current political leaders try to remove God from our nation.

I take it personally when the Constitution is twisted and those in government positions try to steal the freedoms for which those who have gone before us so courageously fought.

I take it personally when our schools, city councils, and judgeships are ruled by those who are strategically working to remove parental input in the lives of our children and brainwash them to their agenda.

You should take it personally as well.

It’s time we get involved to not only to pray, but to take back our nation city-by-city, county-by-county, and state-by-state.

ABOUT: Karen Hardin is an intercessor, author, minister and literary agent. She is called to exhort, encourage and help raise up the remnant. She desires to empower those who have grown weary so they can reposition to walk in identity and destiny. Her work has appeared in USA Today, World Net Daily, Intercessors for America, Charisma, CBN.com, The Elijah List, etc. For additional information you can contact her at www.prioritypr.org or www.karenhardin.com