Open Doors

By Gloria Robles

Many Christians are surprised to find out that the Bible urges all of us to pray especially for our nation. The Message makes it very clear why:

Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live (1 Tim. 2:1–4).

In following this admonition, even those who feel inadequate, unqualified, or inferior may find themselves in positions of access or influence.

Whitney Thorn is a wife and mother who was raised in a Christian home. Prayer was a part of her life, but for most of this time, her prayers were self-focused. She rarely read the Word. But Whitney’s mother, who is an intercessor with a passion for the nation, influenced her daughter to greater prayer.

A few years ago, Whitney began to read the Bible daily, pray, and fast. She shifted from simply praying to intercession that put others before self and God’s agenda above her own.

At that time, Whitney’s children attended a Christian school that intended to “incorporate culture change” (code for LGBTQ ideals, Critical Race Theory, and evolution). 

“I remember praying a dangerous prayer,” Whitney says. “I cried out to Him, ‘God, there is so much deception. Will You please use me?’”

Whitney met with the school leaders. With boldness and love, she spoke the truth from God’s Word about why it was not permissible to allow any of these ideologies in a Christian school. She fervently prayed for the parents and leaders of the school.

Whitney shares how God answered: “Many families met with the principal to take a stand against corrupt teachings. The principal required the science department to remove everything from the curriculum that was against the biblical truth of creation.” 

As Whitney continued to pray, listen, and obey, God opened more doors for strategic intercession. Affluent friends invited her to a $5,000-per-plate dinner for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Whitney joked to her friend, “It’s too rich for me, but I’d love to help in any way.” A few days before the event, Whitney and her sister Kacy signed up as servers.

Whitney and Kacy interceded throughout their time at the event. When Kacy took a photo with DeSantis, she told him, “We are praying for you.” She thanked him for fighting for Florida’s freedoms. 

Whitney says, “If you truly mean it when you pray for God to use you, He will answer. God will open the door, but you must obey.” 

Recognizing Prayer Burdens

Often when we commit to prayer, we will find there’s a next course of action if we are willing to step out in faith. What began for Whitney as faithfulness in prayer opened the door of opportunity.

We see God doing this throughout Scripture. He can do this for any believer who is willing. Sometimes we pray and wait for God to act, but He may be waiting on us to act. 

Every prayer warrior has something that moves him or her to pray, often to tears. For some, it’s family, for some it’s a national issue, for others it can be revival.  Whitney’s prayer burden led her to cry out to the Lord in desperation for His help. You can take steps into prayer action:

• Identify your prayer burden. It’s the thing you find yourself most passionate about in prayer. Write it down and ask the Lord how He can use you to make a difference.
• Seize the opportunity. Whitney volunteered to be a server at a dinner. She just wanted to pray in the vicinity of the man who makes crucial decisions concerning her state. God opened the door for her, even though she was lacking in experience. In Scripture, action often follows prayers. 
• Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. By serving tables, Whitney ended up speaking with her governor face to face. Daniel was a captive who ministered to four different kings. It’s said that God uses ordinary people because He can’t find any other kind. 
• Be obedient. The smallest acts of obedience can produce great fruit and miracles. God can accomplish great things through you.

You might not meet a famous governor or have opportunity to tell a key leader that he or she is prayed for by name. But will you obey God’s urging to pray for the nation and our leaders?

INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA (ifapray.org) has mobilized prayer for this nation for 50 years. Gloria Robles is a contributing writer for IFA.

Taken from Prayer Connect. To subscribe to this award-winning magazine, click here.