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Saturday, May 16, 2026, was a time of great unity in the presence of the Lord. IFA Texas joined with Mercy Culture Austin to rededicate the State Capitol in Austin, Texas. We were honored to be joined by Texas State Board Member Evelyn Brooks and Representative Hillary Hickland. Other intercessory streams, like Daniel Nation, TX APN, and Austin Awake, joined IFA to be part of history and to proclaim and pray for the fulfillment of God’s plans and purposes in Texas.
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IFA TX State Leader Donna Phillips (left) and Regional Leader Lisa Townsend (right).
IFA State Co-leader Traci Richardson mentioned that the rededication was initially scheduled for June, but due to scheduling conflicts, that week was unavailable. God had other plans, and after she and State Leader Donna Phillips went through dates, they settled on May 16, 2026, unaware that on that exact day in Texas history, the State Capitol had been dedicated on May 16, 1888. Traci said she looked through the historical records and found there was no mention of God. She said, “It doesn’t say if it was dedicated to the Lord, but if it wasn’t, it got rededicated today!”
Mark Wadel, from IFA TX, who also introduced guest speakers, said the three major areas of recognition in Texas are the church, the education system, and Government leadership. Speaking on behalf of the church were Seth and Kaily Morrow from Mercy Culture Austin, and Pastor Brandon Burden of Kingdom Life. Member Evelyn Brooks spoke on education, and Representative Hickland spoke on government leadership. These three areas will influence the future of Texas.
Mark noted, “ The Church is the baseline of culture. From its biblical foundation, it creates the fabric of how we define right and wrong – God’s Word. In a fertile and righteous environment is where we want to raise righteous and God-honoring families – the next generation takes root in this culture.”
“Next is education – it is where the future generations are instructed and the direction in which they are pointed. It is vital that this area focuses our children towards righteousness. This is where the next generation grows. Finally, when the next generation matures, our desire is for them to be contributors and leaders in society who will influence our government to cultivate righteousness.”
Mark also stated that, “in each of these areas, the enemy also knows how strategic they are. He focuses on employing intimidation against those who wish to uphold righteousness in these areas. The enemy has attempted to use intimidation as forced timidity.” He said the scripture the Lord spoke to him was 2 Timothy 1:7–8 (NIV84) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
IFA TX leaders praying over Representative Hillary Hickland.
He believes that these people, our elected officials, recognized the first step. It’s not enough to have conviction to do the right thing. They moved and did something about it. He said he was reminded of David and Goliath. For 40 days, Goliath challenged and taunted the Israelites, and God was looking for a warrior to accept the challenge. No one stood up, so God used a youth, David, to defeat a warrior. That’s how we should be. Mark said he felt this way about Hillary Hickland, who, two years earlier, was a stay-at-home mom and is now a Texas Representative. “She didn’t think this needed to change; she became the vessel for change,” Mark said.
“These individuals have stepped forward to be used by God to defeat the Goliaths in culture, education, and government. We should expect to be opposed for standing up for righteousness. Do not be discouraged – be encouraged!”
Faith, Family, and Freedom
“As Mercy Culture opened in worship, it was powerful. The Capitol auditorium holds 350, and an estimated 250 were in attendance. The Presence of God filled that capital tangibly through worship, prayer, repentance, thanksgiving, and declarations.” Both Donna and State Co-leader Jane Milligan agreed that what made this rededication powerful was the unity. Jane said, “There is much work that needs to be done in Texas, but without unity, we will not see it.”
Mercy Culture leading worship in the Austin Capitol auditorium.
“Pastors, intercessors, young and old, elected officials, civic engagers, all together worshipping the Lord as one. The atmosphere was filled with humility, honor, and reverence for God. There was excitement, a thirst, and a genuine hunger for the Presence of the Lord and a sincere desire to see righteousness established again in Texas and America. It truly felt like a divine partnership across generations, ministries, and spheres of influence,” Donna said.
“This was so much more than just an event,” Donna added. “As we planned and prayed through Rededicate Texas, we sensed the Lord showing us this was also about raising up and engaging future generations. It’s easy for one generation to say, ‘We’ll get involved,’ but if we do not intentionally invest in and encourage younger generations now, we risk losing the future stewardship of our government and nation. We must pass the baton well.”
“It was a blessing to see young pastors boldly standing in the gap and partnering with government leaders,” Donna said. “There were babies, children, youth, young adults, families, and older generations all worshipping and praying together. It was truly about the family reclaiming its influence and stewarding communities, government, and future generations for the glory of God.”
Pastor Seth Morrow and IFA Intercessor Mark Wadel praying over Texas State Board Member Evelyn Brooks.
Rosie Gonzales, TX intercessor, brought her daughter and grandchildren to witness the rededication. She was moved by the boldness of State Board Member Evelyn Brooks, who spoke about the importance of family and her work in the State Board of Education. Rosie was also touched by Representative Hickland’s testimony. Rosie said, “It was evident that God called these women to serve and that they have yielded to Him completely. They choose obedience over the pressure they face from others. You can see they feel the pressure strongly, and they choose to stand for godly values.”
Donna shared that Representative Hillary Hickland’s testimony deeply resonated with the intercessors. Through prayer, God stirred Rep. Hickland’s heart to run for office, and she obeyed, ultimately defeating an incumbent in what many considered impossible in her district. Donna emphasized how important it is for Christians, especially younger generations, to engage and get involved, reminding people that God often uses ordinary individuals willing to say yes to His call and step courageously into leadership and public service.
“After Rededicate Texas, we received many messages from people sharing how deeply they were impacted by the holy atmosphere and tangible Presence of the Lord throughout the gathering,” Donna said. “One especially powerful moment came when SBOE Member Evelyn Brooks stepped up to speak and immediately began singing a cappella worship over Texas, ending with the Names of God. The room was deeply moved.”
Donna continued, “People were impacted watching elected officials and civic leaders openly honor faith, family, freedom, and the hand of God upon Texas. We rededicated the Capitol because we believe that government, families, and freedom matter to God. I truly believe we will continue seeing the hand of God moving upon Texas.”
“Texas belongs to the Lord. God is not finished with Texas, and neither are we,” Donna said. “We continue to pray because prayer is not our last option — it is our first response. The Lord showed me these rededications are like a spiritual repellent to darkness. As a magnet repels opposing forces, so we pray, proclaim, rededicate, and fill places with the glory of God, and the enemy is driven back. These rededications are like a holy fog filling the atmosphere, and where the glory of the Lord rests, darkness cannot remain.”
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke (Isaiah 6:4).
God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away (Psalms 68:1–2).
“Our desire is to see every Texas elected official, in every elected position, and every civil servant, in every office of authority, and within every sphere of influence, engage and rededicate their Service to the Lord,” Donna said. “We are believing for righteousness to arise across Texas and for the Presence of God to continue moving throughout this state.”
Prayer by Mark Wadel:
“Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. We humble ourselves before You, and we acknowledge that You alone are Lord over Texas, America, and the nations. Your Word says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, if we humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You will hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. Father, we come as Your people. We humble ourselves before You. We pray. We seek Your face. Search our hearts and bring to attention the deception of sin that we must turn from. Show us where we have gone wrong. We wish to be within your will and under the shadow of your wings. We ask You to forgive us, cleanse us, and heal our land.
Lord, forgive Your Church where we have tolerated compromise, ignored holiness, and feared man. Forgive us for having trusted politics to save us more than coming to you in prayer. Forgive us where we have allowed comfort, greed, and apathy to weaken our witness. We repent on behalf of our families, our churches, and our communities. We ask You to awaken Your people across Texas. Stir up repentance in pastors, leaders, and our families. Let the fear of the Lord return to Your Church.
Father, we pray especially over Texas. We declare that Texas belongs to the Lord. We ask You to guard this state from deception, corruption, and lawlessness. We ask You to expose hidden works of darkness. We ask You to bring righteousness into our government, schools, and courts. Your Word says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
So in the name of Jesus, we reject the spirit of fear over Texas. We reject intimidation, confusion, and cowardice. We reject every effort meant to silence the truth. We reject every strategy meant to weaken the Church. We reject every spirit that opposes the knowledge of God. Father, fill Your people with power, love, and a sound mind. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Is 26:3 Give us power to stand. Give us love to represent Christ to a lost world. And give us sound minds to discern truth from deception.
We pray for the churches of Texas. Let pastors preach Your Word with boldness. Let believers be inspired to pursue holiness. Let Your people be bold in their faith. Tear down spiritual apathy. Break the power of compromise. Awaken Your Church with revival. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, amen.”
What is your prayer for your state?
IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast, Something To Share. Photo Credit: IFA TX State Leader Donna Phillips.
