Prayer Bulletin for January 2026

Written By David E. Smith | 01.19.26

If you are like me, as an advocate for the sanctity of human life, you did not expect to see Roe v. Wade overturned in your lifetime. Yet on Friday, June 24, 2022, after fifty years of legalized violence against the preborn, the U.S. Supreme Court finally did what it should have done all along: it told the truth. The U.S. Constitution does not contain a “right” to abortion.

We should continue to thank God for this ruling. But we should also be honest about the consequences. The battle has now returned to the states—and that includes Illinois—where we know that abortion numbers have spiked. This is happening in deep-blue states across the nation. In fact, the Guttmacher Institute estimates there were over 1,037,000 abortions in 2023, an 11 percent increase compared with 2020 figures before Roe was overturned.

Our culture is still deeply hostile to biblical truth, human dignity, and the sanctity of life. This is not merely a political problem—it is a spiritual one. What we are witnessing is spiritual warfare, a rebellion against God that manifests itself in the destruction (sacrifice) of innocent human life.

That is why prayer is not optional in this moment—it is urgent. Scripture reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.” We must ask the Lord to change hearts and minds, to expose lies, to bring repentance, and to awaken His Church to stand for truth with courage and love. Without God’s intervention, laws alone will never be enough.

What happens next will depend on whether Christians and pro-life citizens engage or retreat. Will you pray with us?

PLEASE THANK GOD:

For His patience and long-suffering, mercy, and grace.

For Jesus, whose sacrifice made a way for us to spend eternity with Him. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9)

For God’s willingness to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness when we truly repent. (1 John 1:9)

For giving us hope and preparing a place for us that our minds can’t imagine. (1 Peter 1:3; John 14:2–3)

For the 250th year of the United States of America. Thank Him for His mercies, blessings, and protection.

PLEASE PRAY:

For God’s divine protection over our law enforcement officials — especially the federal agents who are working to enforce immigration laws;

That our elected officials and government leaders use their platforms to promote peaceful protest and uphold the rule of law;

That efforts to stir up division and destruction would be thwarted and confused;

That God would stir the Church to be instruments of peace and healing in these divisive times;

For election integrity—pray that fraud and abuse would be exposed and stopped;

That the Lord would bring a Christian revival to Springfield, leading many women and men in high leadership roles to become followers of Jesus Christ and to submit both their lives and their political positions to His authority;

That the Lord would frustrate the efforts of organizations and groups that seek to pass evil laws in Illinois, causing their schemes to fail;

For our state lawmakers as they begin the legislative session. Pray that they would focus on laws and policies that honor God and help the families of the state;

For President Donald Trump and the members of Congress. Pray that they do not weaken or repeal the Hyde Amendment;

That abortion facilities continue to close and that the deadly truth about the abortion pill is exposed;

For U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and his legal challenge regarding extended ballot counting after election day;

That God would raise up bold leaders in our churches who will not shrink back from engaging our culture for Christ;

That Christians would use wisdom and discernment to understand the issues and be motivated to vote their biblical values in this year’s elections;

That the U.S. Supreme Court would understand the harms of chemical abortions, reject transgender men in women’s sports; uphold conversion therapy for children, parental rights, and more;

That the Lord would dismantle any efforts to further expand access to abortion in Illinois and throughout the United States;

That the Lord would bless the pregnancy resource centers that are serving various communities in Illinois and throughout the nation;

That God would use His Church to uphold the truth about the sanctity of human life and the blessing of children;

For unity among believers – that they would have a renewed sense of purpose in sharing the gospel with family, friends, and neighbors;

For the healing of our nation, which will come only as people repent and turn to Jesus;

For an outpouring of love from believers toward hard-to-love people in their circle of influence;

For God to thwart the plans to legalize prostitution and psychedelic drugs in Illinois;

For God to thwart and expose the plans of the enemy and the lies that seek to divide us by race and ethnicity, and fuel a spirit of hate;

For justice to reign in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Pray that Christians in these nations would have a powerful testimony and honor Almighty God;

For an end to the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine;

For God’s peace to be with His people who are suffering for the sake of the Gospel in Nigeria.

Pray For Those In Authority!

1 Timothy 2 tells us to pray for “all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” I invite you to join me and the staff at IFI in committing ourselves to praying for our state and federal lawmakers. With our state and nation in a financial crisis, our government officials will be making many tough decisions in the coming months. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that the Lord can direct the hearts of those in authority.

Psalm 9:9-10 tells us, “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” In ancient times, strong walls and towers provided security for citizens fleeing invading forces.

For IFI:

Pray for God’s hand of protection and for the health of all members of the IFI staff and board of directors.

Pray that God would provide the resources we need to uphold truth in the public square.

Pray that our efforts would be multiplied and amplified for His glory.

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding
~Daniel 2:20-21~

David E. Smith

Dave Smith is the executive director of Illinois Family Institute (501c3) and Illinois Family Action (501c4). Follow Dave on X: @ProFamilyIL David has almost 35 years of experience in public policy and grass-roots activism that includes countless interviews for numerous radio, television, cable programs and newspaper articles on topics such as the sanctity of life, natural marriage, broadcast decency, sex education, marijuana, gambling, abortion, homosexuality, tax policy, drug decriminalization and pornography. He and his wife of 30 years are blessed to be the parents of eight children, whom they homeschool. They strongly believe that their first duty before God is...

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