I Prayed have prayed
Praise God that our President values and protects religious freedom. Thank God that the White House is encouraging partnership with faith-based organizations.
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On our October First Friday Prayer Conference Call, we were joined by Mark Zelden, the director of the Centers for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives in the Department of Labor. Zelden is part of the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative which aims “to assist faith-based and other organizations in their efforts to strengthen the institutions of civil society and American families and communities.”

Did you miss the prayer call? You can always listen to the replay line. Dial (712) 775-7432, code 2452#.

Now, eleven federal departments have offices for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. These offices serve as a voice within each department for religious freedom and provide information to faith and community leaders. They also provide policy recommendations within each department/agency.

Download our free prayer guide with a list of all the leaders of these faith initiatives so that you can pray for them by name and position, thanking God for the work they are doing.

We had an opportunity to talk with Zelden about his role and how intercessors can be praying for these initiatives.

When asked about how he would describe the value of the Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, his response was deeply encouraging. “I believe the Trump Administration has made outreach to faith-based institutions, associations, interests a sincere priority. I have especially appreciated the collaborative approach whereby the White House coordinates with Departments as a group on policy projects but also customizes to each Department, as warranted.”

These offices within the various departments are having a clear impact on Christians. Although some of the work done is not scintillating enough for breaking news on cable television, Zelden and his office are working on a huge advance for religious freedom. He explained, “At the Labor Department we are currently in the process of finalizing a rule that we think will properly protect the religious liberty and civil rights of faith-based government contractors.” And Zelden is not doing this alone, but with the full support and assistance of the Trump Administration. “The White House, with its Office of Domestic Policy and Office of Public Affairs, has organized calls with stakeholders and think tanks on press releases, policy statements, and the like. This is the sort of added muscle needed to have good policy outcomes and a good example of the priority the White House has for faith-based interests.”

Send an email to President Trump thanking him for the Faith and Community Initiatives.

Zelden, and the other leaders of Faith and Community Initiatives, also face challenges. For example, it is public knowledge that a group called American Oversight has been asking many Trump officials, including some of these leaders, to submit copies of their calendars and schedule through Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests. This hostile use of FOIA requests is a way to challenge not only the White House, but also the work that they are doing to advance religious freedom and level the playing field for faith-based organizations competing for federal grant money.

In light of these kinds of challenges, and the good work that Zelden is doing, we asked him how intercessors could be praying for him. He answered, “The best way prayers can be helpful for me and others working in policy projects in faith-based space is to know we are not alone. Washington is 95% opposed to the President broadly speaking, and one can feel isolated. It is invigorating to know regular folks across the country are praying for us.”

(By Judy McDonough, IFA Staff.)

 

 

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Maria Verde
October 7, 2019

Lord Jesus, Please calm this latest storm, and help President Trump to keep his eyes on You
so that he can walk on water with You. AMEN

Donna Kotecki
October 6, 2019

Lord I lift up your servants in our government. Let them not grow weary in well-doing, but rather undergird them in your strength & anoint them with the power of your Holy Spirit to do the work that needs to be done. Grant them favor & the wisdom of Solomon that they may be successful in what they put their hand to. Bless them with your peace. Grant them your protection. Go before them & behind them doing battle for them in order that America may turn back, be healed & be saved. In Jesus precious name. Amen

Valinda
October 5, 2019

Father God, I ask that your kingdom purposes for our country would be fulfilled! Protect and watch over those called into governmental positions. Protect each faith based leader and their families. I pray you will give these leaders the mind of Christ. That you would give them strategies to accomplish their goals. Protect them from all evil that would try to prevent them from accomplishing your will. Thy will be done on earth now just as it is in heaven! Give these men and women faith leaders power and courage. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen!

Grace Munger
October 5, 2019

Lord, we release thousands of angelic hosts in Washington DC, in Jesus’ name to surround and encourage those believers you have placed in positions of authority. Give them divine wisdom, insight, protection, and favor to carry out Your perfect will, that Your glory will abound around the White House and walls of Congress bringing peace, joy, and Your Almighty Presence save and heal those who are oppressed and burdened by the Satanic opposition. We also bind and destroy those forces bringing in darkness and release the Light of Your Presence to permeate the minds and hearts of those making decisions. May Your name be praised. We worship you, Father God!

Sandra H.
October 5, 2019

Thank you, Mark Zelden, for staying the course in keeping watch over faith based interest. I sense that your are the part of solution for getting our country out of the death spiral the enemy would route for us. I say, “us” representative of believers in the power of God and His sovereignty over the United States of America. Please know that your have been prayed for today. I believe you have been asked to hold back the deadly tide of disbelief and persecution for the household of faith. We have failed to protect a generation or two from the wiles of the devil by taking prayer and the Bible out of schools, out of the market place and out of the home. Now, we face the systems of the world and Satan. God is greater and He will give you physical strength and wisdom, inroads for good, and hedges of protection, and to all those who work on the behalf of faith freedom people all over the United States. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His Might! You are not alone in this fight!

Michael Guidera
October 5, 2019

Father, even though we have 95% of Washington against our President, Your presence is sufficient to defeat the enemy. Against all odds, oh Lord how many times have you surprised the foolish, tricked the wicked, mocked the proud and haughty. Give all those in Washington who trust in You the faith to stand strong. Strengthen them. Give them resolve and vision and peace. For the day is coming when Your might will come down against the wicked and justice will be served to all that have chosen to lie and connive to further their selfish desires and do harm to the innocent. Bless all the organizations that are furthering our religious freedoms. Protect them against the forces of evil so opposed to them.

    Sandra H.
    October 5, 2019

    Amen and Amen to this prayer. All praise to God for His plans that cannot fail!

    Rochelle
    October 5, 2019

    Yes, LORD, I come in complete agreement with this prayer. Give Your people who are working in Washington, D.C. such a strong sense of Your Presence with them that they overflow with joy, and hope, and peace. Reveal to them how many Americans stand with them and uphold them in prayer before Your throne. Let there be a great tidal wave of support for their work. We ask this in the assurance of Your love and faithfulness through Christ our LORD. Amen.

    Jeanie B.
    October 5, 2019

    Lord, I come in complete agreement with this prayer too and trust that You are doing a mighty work behind the scenes that we have not yet seen. We place our nation and our leaders in Your hands and release Your power to work in and through them as they stand for You and Your truth. Protect them, Dear Lord, as they serve You in the places where You have called them. Weed out those who are against You, our President and this great nation and fill their places with Your choices.

    We pray all this in the Name of Jesus, our Lord and King.

Kimberly Gould
October 5, 2019

Dear God….we bring our nation and it’s leaders before you asking you to have mercy on all of us. Thank you especially for those who fight for us in higher places than we sit. Give them courage to speak the truth and know that they are NOT alone in this fight. Use them where they are to have influence on matters that will affect us all. Give them safety and wisdom. Give them the ear of the President and favor where they go…In Jesus name, Amen!

June Stevens
October 5, 2019

Thank you heavenly Father for our President who is protecting our religious freedoms.I proclaim that no weapon formed against our President will prosper and every tongue that rises up against him in judgement shall be proven wrong. His steps are ordered of you Lord and he hears your voice clearly.Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in the rejoice:let them ever shout for joy because thou defendest them:let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee Vs12 For you Lord will bless the righteous;with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Thank you Heavenly Father for our Presdident and those who are standing and working with him to make this a greater nation than ever before. We always triumph in Christ Jesus!

Daniel Lowry
October 5, 2019

Lord Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the life, I pray that the light of truth will dispel the dark stronghold of deceit that clouds the minds of so many in D.C. Lord Jesus, I pray that your goodness will begin today to remove hard hearts and cause the miracle of new birth to sweep through those darkest of places in our government!

Janet
October 5, 2019

Lord, teach our elected officials to speak succinctly and effectively
There are far too many meaningless words in government!

Flora Lee Rauch
October 5, 2019

Thank You Father for weaving Your Kingdom people into our government! God empower and enlarge the territory of every Christian in the Trump Administration. Reward their heartfelt prayers and actions, melt away the opposition to God’s Will Holy Spirit ….encourage the faithful to You, Lord! Continue to replace evil with Holy in Jesus name we pray Amen

Patricia Goss
October 5, 2019

You are not alone!
We are with you and with President Trump!
Thank God for your presence and the impact you are making in this area of calling on your lives for our nation and future generations!
One nation under God!

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