Scripture repeatedly teaches us that God is in complete control. Psalm 22:28 declares, “The kingdom is the LORD’s, and He rules over the nations.” Psalm 99:1 proclaims, “The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!” And Colossians 1:17 tells us that “in Him all things consist”—not just some things. These are only a few of the many passages in the Bible that remind us that God remains firmly on His throne.

Even so, it is easy to become discouraged by the rapid secularization of our culture. From abortion and marijuana to assisted suicide and gambling, the snares that enslave our neighbors, families, and young people continue to multiply.

The data backs this up. According to Gallup, the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian has dropped from 92% in the 1940s to just 63% today, while those claiming no religious affiliation (“nones”) has risen to 26%.

Furthermore, regular church attendance has plummeted from a 1950s high of 48% to a historic low of 30%. This spiritual decline directly fuels the destructive legislation in Springfield, the violence on our streets, and the bitter divisions splitting our families.

The red flags are everywhere, but the Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6 to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.“

Our response must begin with relentless prayer. It’s incredible that our prayers move the Hand of God Almighty! If we believe nothing is too difficult for God, we should not hesitate. Consider this insight from Pastor John Piper’s article, “Spiritual Warfare and Prayer”:

One of the things that constantly astonishes me is that God, who could with one blink of an eye or flick of a little finger, dispatch all of Satan and all of his hordes out of the world and out of the way — instead of doing that — employs human agents to do war with them and fight them in order to get victories. And all I know to say about that is, in His inscrutable wisdom, more glory will come to Him and more joy will come to you in participating in this triumph.

I don’t know what else to say because he could do it so easily without us. He could just get rid of the devil so that all we had to deal with was human flesh. But He hasn’t chosen to get rid of the devil. He will throw the devil into the lake of fire someday. But now God lets him run on a leash, let’s him do great damage in the world.

Piper concludes by exhorting us to be bold and earnest in fighting the devil through prayer. Let us be intentional. Pray persistently and faithfully Acts 26:18 and 2 Timothy 2:25-26 for your family, friends, and neighbors to turn to God and find a Bible-believing church. Pray for your pastor, your community, and your local, state, and federal officials. Commit to praying without ceasing for God’s will to be done, trusting His promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Thanksgiving & Praise

• Thank God for His abundant blessings on our nation over the past 250 years. Despite our many faults and failings, He has used America as a beacon of hope to a world in desperate need of both the eternal freedom found in Jesus Christ and the civil blessings of liberty under self-government. Celebrate the declaration that we “are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights.”

• Thank God for the Founding Fathers who labored to draft the Declaration of Independence and later frame the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Praise God for using these remarkable documents to help secure the blessings of liberty for generations.

• Thank God for the freedom to worship Him without fear of government persecution. The privilege of gathering each week with fellow believers, proclaiming the Gospel, and freely sharing sermons, podcasts, articles, and prayer bulletins like this one is a wonderful reason to give Him praise.

• Thank God for the beauty of His creation on display in every state in our nation! From “purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain” to oceans, lakes, forests, and grand canyons. May our gratitude and wonder over these blessings lead us to glorify God as we delight in His handiwork.

• Thank God that we still have the privilege of electing our representatives in Springfield and Washington, D.C. Although too many Christians neglect this responsibility, we remain free to seek the common good by supporting God-fearing men and women for public office. Let us thank Him for this precious opportunity and pray that we would be faithful stewards of it.

Please Join Us As We… 

• Pray for Erika Kirk, her parents, and Charlie Kirk’s parents as they attend a preliminary hearing in Utah involving Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie. Pray that God would grant them His peace, strength, comfort, and justice.

• Pray that Congress would get serious about passing S.3752, the SAVE America Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility). This federal legislation would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, strengthen voter ID protections, and help ensure that American elections are decided by American citizens.

• Pray that God would stir the hearts of many throughout our state and nation to genuine faith in Jesus Christ and heartfelt repentance from sin. May they recognize that we have all fallen short of God’s perfect standard and desperately need His saving grace.

• Pray that Christians will not resign themselves to thinking, “There’s nothing I can do in the face of evil,” but instead seek God’s wisdom to discern what they can and should do as faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ. Pray that apathy, fear, and frustration would give way to faithfulness, courage, and perseverance.

• Pray that Christians would faithfully steward the blessings of liberty by becoming informed, engaged, and voting in the upcoming election.

• Pray for spiritual renewal and genuine unity rooted in biblical truth. Pray that God would replace division, bitterness, and self-righteous anger with humility, repentance, forgiveness, and love.

• Pray that parents would remove their children from public schools that promote godless ideologies and faithfully disciple them according to God’s Word, teaching them to love and obey the Lord.

• Pray against the evils of abortion, sexual immorality, addiction, civil unrest, and broken families that continue to plague our nation.

• Pray that the devastating consequences of the abortion pill—for both preborn children and their mothers—would become widely known, leading many to reject its use and embrace the sanctity of human life.

• Pray for the sidewalk counselors who lovingly share the truth of the Gospel with women seeking abortions and with abortion facility employees. May God grant them wisdom, courage, and protection. May God prosper their work.

• Pray that your family members, friends, and neighbors would see through the lies of assisted suicide that are often disguised as “compassion.” Pray that they would understand the dignity and value of every human life and recognize that even in suffering, God is at work accomplishing His purposes. (Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

• Pray that God would draw pastors and church leaders to the upcoming Liberty Pastors event, using it to equip and encourage them for the important work He has called them to do.

• Pray for a renewed and earnest hunger for God in our families, churches, and communities. Ask the Lord to revive our hearts, deepen our love for Him, and help us faithfully seek Him and His righteousness above all else. (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 42:1-2; 85:6)

Government Leaders & Public Officials

• Pray for President Donald Trump, our military leaders, troops, sailors, and intelligence personnel serving in dangerous areas of the world. Pray for God’s protection over them and for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict with Iran.

• Pray for those serving in the FBI, Secret Service, ICE, and Department of Homeland Security as they work to protect our nation and the consequences of open borders. Pray that God would grant them wisdom, protection, integrity, and strength for the responsibilities before them.

• Pray that God would protect our nation from foreign and domestic enemies who would seek to use dangerous pathogens, viruses, harmful fungi, or other biological threats for evil purposes. Pray that God would give our leaders wisdom and vigilance and that He would expose evil plans and protect our nation from those who intend harm. (Psalm 127:1; Psalm 91; 1 Timothy 2:1–2)

• Pray that God would direct the heart of Governor JB Pritzker and his staff (Proverbs 21:1), granting them wisdom, humility, and discernment. Ask Him to lead them to govern with justice, defend the vulnerable, and pursue policies consistent with truth and righteousness.

• Pray that God would guide the hearts and minds of those serving in the Illinois General Assembly. Ask the Lord to grant them a deep understanding of the blessings of liberty, a respect for the vital role of families and parents, and the wisdom to promote policies that encourage personal responsibility. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

• Pray that Christian citizens, pastors, elders, and deacons would seek opportunities to encourage, pray for, and build meaningful relationships with their elected officials, pointing them to the Good News of the Gospel. (Proverbs 11:14)

• Pray that those who are called by His name would humble themselves before the Lord, seek His perfect will, and faithfully follow 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.” (Matthew 6:10)

IFI & IFA

• Pray for the staff and board members of Illinois Family Institute and Illinois Family Action.

• Pray that God would faithfully provide for the ministries of Illinois Family Institute and Illinois Family Action, granting wisdom, strength, financial resources, and clear direction as we labor to glorify Him and advance His truth in Illinois.

• Pray for wisdom, endurance, and faithfulness as we seek to advance biblical truth in Illinois.