We have all heard the idioms about history repeating itself. But the actual revelation comes from Ecclesiastes, where Solomon declared, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The things that we see happening in our nation or around leaders have happened before. Things like abortion, transgenderism, and the assassination of political figures are nothing new; we can trace these things in the Bible. While in prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed to an intercessor a demonic tactic at work now, targeting those in authority, and a strategy to combat it.

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Mark Wadel and his wife now live in Texas. Before that, he was the Wyoming Co-State Prayer Leader for IFA. While studying the gifts of the Holy Spirit—such as healing, tongues, and prophecy—after a debate with family members who believe these gifts have ceased, the Holy Spirit revealed a Bible story—specifically, the strategy Satan uses to target our governmental leaders.

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.  When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.  When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There, they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,  who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. 

The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately, mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord (Acts 13:1-12). 

The Holy Spirit prophetically highlighted this story to Mark to show him that this is still happening in our nation now, and what we can do about it. Christians are called to be the light of the world and a city on a hill. We are to be people of influence, but the enemy always seeks to counterfeit what is God’s. Mark noticed this happening in Texas. The Muslim community, which is thriving in several Texas cities, came into several positions of authority under the Biden Administration. They have an organization called EMGAGE that encourages Muslims to run for local offices, such as city council and mayoral seats. 

When Mark went to the website, he noted that this organization is very much like Intercessors for America. They have engagement programs and even hold events at the state capitols. “It’s a counterfeit, for what we have, the One true God, whose Son Jesus Christ, is on our side,” he said. Mark believes that the Muslim community is attaching themselves to our elected officials and whispering in their ears, much like Bar-Jesus attached himself to the proconsul, which was a governor, for the purpose of gaining influence. “This isn’t only highlighting Muslims, Mark said. “We also have Hindu influence around our elected officials, those who are secretly false prophets, and those involved in sorcery around our elected officials.”

The very answer to the enemy’s plans is revealed in this same story. Thank you, Lord, that although Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, you came to give life. The enemy has familiar spirits and divination, which are counterfeits of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but real power belongs to our God. Here is a prophetic model of how God can use us to influence politicians.

The church was in a state of fasting, worship, and prayer (Acts 13:1). These were regular practices in the early church. Most Christians understand prayer, but we cannot neglect fasting with our prayer. Some things, usually deep things, can only be revealed and dealt with through the combination. 

• We must be people who fast and pray to be used by God in this way (see Mark 9:25-29). 

 The Holy Spirit sets apart Paul and Barnabas. They were obedient to the Holy Spirit’s command: “Go and proclaim my Word.” (v2).

• Pray that believers will live set apart as ecclesia, be obedient kingdom influencers, and run for local office (see Matthew 5:14-16).

Those who are set apart are filled with the Holy Spirit ( v 3-4).

• Pray for a filling of the Holy Spirit to come upon them – that they would prophesy in their positions and that God would grant them victory over His enemies (see Acts 1:8).

The proconsul wanted to hear the word of God, but Bar-Jesus was hindering it, whispering in his ear (v6-8).

• Pray that every false prophetic voice, whether Islam, Hinduism, witchcraft, or any false religion other than Christianity, will be exposed (see 2 Timothy 3:8-9). 

• Pray their influence will be muted before our politicians and leaders (see Psalm 31:18).

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly confronts the false prophet (v 9-10).

• Pray for boldness in the ecclesia to confront the false prophets through intercession, prayer, or in person (see Proverbs 28:1).

The Lord struck the false prophet with blindness, leaving him immobilized (v 11). 

• Pray for the immobilization of the enemy’s influence (see 2 Samuel 15:31). 

The proconsul comes to the faith after seeing a miracle (v 12).

• Pray that our leaders will encounter the Lord through signs, wonders, and miracles (see Acts 4:29-30).

Other ways we can pray

• Pray against the spirit of greed, which is often a primary weakness for politicians (see 1 Timothy 6:9).

• Pray for a hedge of protection around our elected leaders, whether they are believers or not (see Psalm 31:1-2).

• Pray they will be drawn to Christ, be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4).

• Pray for strong biblical Pastors and ecclesia to disciple and influence our elected officials (see Ephesians 4:11-16). 

Some may focus more on how the enemy is at work in our government or among our leaders, as Mark said, “we have the One true God.” We are on the winning side! And God has given us the prophetic edge through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He lifts the veil and gives us revelation through reading His Word, during intercession, sometimes by dreams and visions, so that we can stand in the gap and partner with Him to see His kingdom come and His will be done. 

While there is much evil influence around our leaders, I am encouraged that He reveals strategies so we can strike the mark. God is not afraid of a challenge. He allowed Elijah to challenge the power of 450 false prophets of Baal and Asherah’s 400. Fire fell from heaven, and people cried, The Lord, he is God! When the ark of His Presence was set in the temple of Dagon, it had to bow in His Presence, so much so that the Philistines sent gifts and could not get rid of it fast enough. 

So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did what the LORD had commanded them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent! Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7:10-11). 

God is not startled by Allah or any of the Hindu deities, but He looks for those to stand in the gap. He’s looking for those bold like Elijah, perceptive like Paul, modern-day Pastors, intercessors, and believers, who aren’t afraid to challenge false gods, expose false prophets, or pray bigger, bolder prayers. Let this be the year we, as the ecclesia, legislate in the heavenlies and bring heaven’s results to earth through our intercession and engagement. 

How will you be interceding for our leaders?

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.

How are you praying for our leaders? Share your prayers and scriptures below.