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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.

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.

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

  1. 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

 

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C Waters
August 9, 2019

Thank you, Karen, for encouraging us to be involved in our political system. Our nation needs light and salt. We are the ones who are change agents for the kingdom. God bless you and others who are a voice to many and for many.

Committed Christians Can and Are Making a Difference! – Truth for Action
August 8, 2019

[…] Source: Intercessors for America […]

Barbara D
August 8, 2019

I pray that the following will spread out from Oklahoma through all the surrounding states and continue to touch the north, east, south and west with the Bible’s transformative values. Send the truth out. God bless America and all who are standing on Biblical principals. With the chaos we see, we know that we are defeating the enemy. Send the enemy back to the pit of hell. Amen

“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)”

KD
August 8, 2019

Father thank You for making me You child and redeeming me from my sins.
Please thwart the plans of the enemy and replace and edify them with Your agenda and Your will, bringing glory to Yourself.
Build up what is good and tear down all resistance to You and Your word.
In Jesus name.

Alan K. Veasey
August 8, 2019

Thank the All Wise Sovereign for allowing his remnant to participate in making history. Snatching people
out of the jaws of eternal torment is historical. Changing governmental history is by definition historical.
Witnessing, disciplining, praying and interceding are things God uses to make an alter history. Praise you Father, for maintaining your remnant and giving them an influence this world knows not.

DrBillLemoine
August 8, 2019

If you are Christian, you know Gospel which separates Church and State, just like our government. You give Caesar what is his, and God what is His. There is no legislation as Christians per se for Gospel says to keep God and mammon separate. The Way is a way of living not influenced or influencing government as epistles show, even to the point of accepting persecution by government, not rushing to change it into something ‘Christian’. Jesus tells us that we must make no laws like the Sadducees and Pharisees; we must not stand in the public square and proclaim the coming of Christ in or outside government. Your pastors are negligent or have taught you wrong if you don’t understand these things; they will pay at judgment as will you who overstep the personal relationship with God prescribed as the strait and narrow. Read your Sermon on the Mount and review Gospel; we are not living Mosaic Law as Christians; be open to this edification if you are not reprobate or apostate, right now.

    Sally Baker
    August 8, 2019

    As a born again believer and a citizen of this country whose ancestry goes back to Henry Howland in the Pilgrim era in Mass., I will get involved with my government as a citizen. I will speak up against the perversion that is all around us. To say nothing and to do nothing is counter intuitive to Christ’s calling for us to be salt and light. I disagree completely with your comments, but you have every right to make them.

      Teresa Brownlee
      August 8, 2019

      Amen!

        DrBillLemoine
        August 9, 2019

        Be careful not to pray amiss with your ‘amen’ seconding of reprobate statements.

      DrBillLemoine
      August 9, 2019

      There are no limits to participation in life by Christians. I didn’t say that. And in any vocation, Christians follow Christ’s 2 commandments, often ignored by office holders and campaigners. If you understood my comment, you see that there is no urge to turn government into Gospel dicta. There should be no laws and rule made in the name of Christians, only neutrally for all faiths. Get involved. Be and act the Christian. But don’t be a Christian apostate advocating spiritually from a soapbox. Don’t formulate laws as a Christian, but as government needs to do. Your salt and light is by personal example, not how many laws you can enact for Christian life. If you disagree with these things, you are agnostic at best, reprobate or atheistic at worst. Follow Gospel, so you better read and study it again with expert interpretation.

    Betty Beardsley
    August 9, 2019

    I pray that God will bring scripture to you that will show you how God followers have influenced government. Look at Daniel. Joseph was second in command in Egypt. Without his God given wisdom & knowledge many would have died of starvation! Esther took a strong stand with her husband the king to save her people, too. We need Christian leaders like Dr, Martin Luther King to take a strong stand so our nation ends abortion and many other sinful ways that are displeasing to God just like slavery is.
    Heavenly Father, we do pray Thy kingdom will come and Thy will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray

Esther Sidat
August 8, 2019

It is wonderful to read what is happening with Christian leadership in government in Oklahoma. I ask for prayer for those of us who live on the East coast, where Bible believing Christians are very much a minority. We must operate in a demographic environment that includes Hindus, Muslms, and many non believers. Pray that we will relate well to those from non Christian backgrounds, and be empowered to influence lawmaking in what is truly God honoring.

sandra akatay
August 8, 2019

“Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” I love the stories mentioned here of Joseph and Daniel and how they were faithful and respectful wherever they were. We have lost respect for the name of God, and for the life and blessings He gives. We have lost respect for our Judeau Christian values and respect for one another and how to live together seeking HIs will, not “My” will be done! I believe the first thing we need is the call to prayer and asking for God to bring a calling, a specific calling, to Christians for involvement.
As I finished this article I was asking myself what can I do . I am a senior citizen with limited time, money and strength and can do less of what I used to do, but we can all pray. Those who are blessed with children and grandchildren have much to pray about right in their own circle for the future of our nation UNDER GOD.
Where is the “united” States of America? I see those who would take away her blessing and no longer be that united. I weep when I come to the word “indivisible”. “A house divided cannot stand”. As we have pushed God farther away as a nation and allowed a small minority have their way now a multitude stands against our divided nation and “liberty and justice for all” has been compromised.
Let’s be praying for our children/grandchildren’s teachers/school and supportive where we can. Those who are Sunday School teachers be praying for each child individually for God’s calling on their life. Spend time with them and model the love of Jesus. Just as God had a plan and purpose for Jeremiah He has a plan for them. Encourage them to seek His calling and recognize His giftings and pray for spheres of influence for our nation in government, teachers,lawyers, judges, pastors and in every walk of life where Christians make a difference–in the home and schools and neighborhoods. Churches need to have a calling from God to be anointed to serve their community. Legal immigrants who come here need sponsors and help to assimilate into the American way of life.Maybe that is your calling as a family or a church. Poor communities need assistance, not just government funds that often get misused. Other nations need those called to come and help them to make a living, to be helped with physical needs and training and most of all we need to bring the hurting and lonely in our nation and in other nations the great hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. This is our only hope (not the economy or the environment because these things happen as an over flow of following God’s plan..and it is HIS plan). Begin with prayer. Thank you for your involvement Intercessors for America and your encouragement and informative ways of doing that.

Krista Hilley
August 8, 2019

Lord, I pray for strength and courage in those who take on leadership roles. Bless them and provide stamina, perseverance and wisdom. We want to take back our country for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers of the prince of the air. We claim victory in Jesus!

Ken Budz
August 8, 2019

Dear Lord God Almighty thank You for everything. Thank You for Your leadership. Please Lord develop leaders who will take this country to where You want it to go. Lord our leaders need Your support and guidance. You Father are the Great Influencer. Please influence those in power. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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