Why Praying Over Politics Makes a Difference

By   •   October 2, 2020   •   Topics:

A group huddles in prayer at the Washington Prayer March on September 26, with the Lincoln Memorial in the background.

Prayer is at the heart of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). In September, Franklin Graham led tens of thousands in crying out to God during Prayer March 2020 in Washington, D.C.

It’s not optional, particularly when it comes to praying for America’s political leaders who shape the country with policies and reforms. And even if the political landscape appears grim, that doesn’t diminish the power of Almighty God.

Consider the following four biblical truths Franklin Graham has shared:

  1. God can turn the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1).

    Our Sovereign Lord can redirect the heart of a king, or in America’s case, a political leader, thanks to the intercession of praying Christians. “We should be praying for God’s will to be done and for our leaders to seek God and listen to Him,” Franklin Graham wrote. “We should pray that they would be surrounded by godly counsel and, most important, that our leadership would personally know God and the salvation found through faith in Jesus Christ alone.”

  2. Interceding for those in authority is a Biblical command (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

    You might not have voted for a particular president, senator, governor, council member, mayor, school board member or fill-in-the-blank leader, but they need your prayers. Faithfully obey God by asking Him to give these elected officials wisdom as they craft policies that shape part or all of the United States.

  3. Pray urgently for all elected leaders (Ephesians 6:12).

    This is not something to do later. During his Decision America Tour prayer rallies, Franklin Graham has said, “We’re on the verge of Christians losing this nation.” Christians have to get passionate and pray now about their desire to see America turn back to God. “The prince of darkness is grimly and powerfully at work in world affairs, and prayer is a great battlefield especially as we pray for those in leadership,” Franklin said.

  4. Pray for leaders who don’t know Christ to be born again (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

    The Lord can open hearts to the truth of the Gospel, and imagine the difference that could make. Franklin Graham has posed this question during evangelistic events across the nation: “What if the majority of the mayors of the United States were God-fearing men and women? Would that change this country?” Just think of recent legislation that has made headlines and how different it could be. James 5:16b states, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

>>See how Christian leaders prayed over America during Prayer March 2020.