Prayer Bulletin for August 2026

Written By David E. Smith | 08.14.26

There is no doubt about it: we are engaged in an intense spiritual battle (Eph. 6:10-18). Look around, and it is difficult to deny that our culture is increasingly overgrown with the weeds and thistles of addiction, gender confusion, broken families, hatred, violence, and the intentional destruction of innocent pre-born human life. The world around us desperately needs redemption.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this spiritual warfare is intensifying in ways many of us could hardly have imagined a decade ago.

But take heart! We serve an all-powerful God who “never slumbers” and is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ps. 121:4, Eph. 3:20).

In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus tells us that “while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat” (Matt. 13:25). For far too long, much of the Church in America has been slumbering while the enemy has been busy sowing seeds of deception, division, and destruction right within their walls.

Christians cannot afford to be found asleep at such a time as this. First, we must be intentional about seeking God, studying His Word, and being faithful in prayer daily (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 11:2; Prov. 2:1-5).

But we must also take seriously the biblical commands God has given us: to be salt and light in this world, to overcome evil with good, and to “make disciples of all the nations,” teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded (Matt. 6:33; Heb. 11:6; Matt. 5:13–16; Rom. 12:21; Matt. 28:18–20). And it must begin with our family.

As watchmen on the wall, we must first get on our knees, fervently praying for God to move powerfully in the hearts of our children and grandchildren, our pastors, church leaders, other believers, and those in authority (Isa. 62:6; 1 Kings 18:37; Prov. 21:1; 2 Thess. 3:5).

Prayer is not passive. It is an essential part of spiritual warfare—seeking God’s wisdom, pleading for His mercy, and asking Him to turn hearts toward truth and righteousness (James 5:16; Col. 4:2).

We are called to pray, act faithfully, and then pray some more. Like the men of Issachar, we should understand the times and know what we ought to do (1 Chron. 12:32). Through fervent prayer, faithful study of His Word, and dependence on the Holy Spirit, God will give us the wisdom, courage, and discernment we need to stand firm and faithfully serve Him in our generation.

Before we list the prayer request bullet points, let’s give God thanks and praise for His patience, mercy, kindness and the blessings He pour out in our lives:

Thanksgiving & Praise

Praise our holy, holy, holy God for His goodness, patience, long-suffering, love, grace and mercy. (1 John 1:5; Col. 3:15; Rev. 5:9)

Thank and praise God for the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ (John 3:15-17).

Thank God we live in the land of the free at a time of unprecedented convenience, technology, and wealth.

Thank God that we have the freedoms to exercise our faith as we see fit, and to engage in the public square to promote righteousness.

Thank God for the challenges in our lives which stretch and grow our faith (James 1:2-4).

Thank God for the children (and grandchildren) that are in our lives and the way they remind us that faith is simple (Matt. 19:14).

Please Join Us As We Pray…

For Revival: Pray for a sweeping move of the Holy Spirit across our nation and world to awaken hearts and bring millions to recognize their sinfulness and desperate need for a Savior.

For Our Families: Pray that God would protect our family members from physical harm and evil influences. Pray that God would draw each person in our family to Himself (John 6:44; 12:32) and help them to grow in faith and maturity. Pray that every member of your household would develop a deep hunger and thirst to know God by reading His Word (Matt. 5:6: Ps. 42:1; 63:1; Jer. 29:13).

For Pastors and Christian Leaders: Pray that the Lord would grant your pastors supernatural wisdom to lead your church, make difficult decisions, and teach the Word with clarity and truth. Pray against division, gossip, and strife, while praying for love, patience and harmony – including the willingness to forgive.

For the Executive Branch: Pray for God’s wisdom and safety for President Donald Trump, his family, and his advisors.

For National Security: Pray for DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Border Czar Tom Homan, and their staffs as they work to secure our borders and faithfully enforce our nation’s immigration laws. Ask God to grant them wisdom, courage, discernment, and protection as they carry out their difficult responsibilities.

For the Judicial Branch: Pray for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court: Chief Justice John Roberts, and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Ask God to turn their hearts toward Him (Prov. 21:1) and to grant them wisdom, discernment, courage, and integrity as they consider the consequential cases before them. Pray that they will distinguish truth from deception, faithfully uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, and render decisions that honor truth, justice, and righteousness.

For the Legislative Branch: Pray for both of our U.S. Senators from Illinois: Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and our 17 U.S. Representatives.

That the Lord would guard the hearts of our lawmakers against corruption and greed. Expose any hidden agendas or dishonest gain. Remove wicked counselors from their presence and surround them with advisers who fear God and speak the truth.

That God would convict the lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to work toward defunding Planned Parenthood, protecting the human rights of preborn babies, and enacting election integrity reforms.

For Governor JB Pritzker, his family and advisors. Pray also for God’s protection over them.

For the General Assembly members in the Illinois House and Senate who serve in Springfield.

For the hearts and minds of family members and neighbors to recognize the sanctity of human life.

For those who are called by His Name to humble themselves before the Lord, seek His face and His perfect will, turn from sin, and faithfully obey His commands and statutes. Pray that we would surrender our own desires and faithfully live out the words of Jesus: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10)

For Faithful Public Servants: Pray that devout, biblically grounded Christians throughout the state will respond to the call to public service and run for office at local, state, and federal levels in the future—including serving as precinct committeemen.

For Righteous Leadership in Elections: Pray that morally courageous and fiscally responsible candidates would receive the spiritual, financial, and volunteer support needed to prevail in upcoming elections. Pray that God would expose corruption and remove from office those who enable immoral and wicked practices.

For Boldness in the Church: Pray for holy boldness in our pulpits, for strong and unwavering church leadership, and for a willing congregation ready to actively engage the culture with truth and grace.

For Righteous Governance: Pray according to the principle of Isaiah 22:20–22: that ungodly officials who set themselves against God’s truth would have their authority removed, and that righteous leaders who fear the Lord would take their place.

For the Protection of Life: Pray that Planned Parenthood and all organizations that profit from the destruction of human life would wither and dry up immediately. Pray that their staff and leaders would experience conviction, turn away from the evil practice of abortion, and find redemption in Christ.

For Strategic Ministries: Pray that God would bless, protect, and prosper the work of IFI and IFA and other ministries that strive to serve our Lord. Pray for the success of our upcoming fall banquet with Seth Gruber and for the provision, wisdom, and resources needed to advance the mission that God has given us in this state.

For the staff and board members of Illinois Family Institute and Illinois Family Action. Pray for wisdom, endurance, and faithfulness as we seek to advance biblical truth in Illinois and be faithful to God.

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 31 years are blessed with eight children, many of whom they homeschool. They believe their first God-given responsibility is to disciple their children—cultivating a...

Full bio and more from David E. Smith