{"id":12773,"date":"2025-12-18T13:15:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T13:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/?p=12773"},"modified":"2025-12-18T13:15:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T13:15:32","slug":"who-is-influencing-our-government-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/?p=12773","title":{"rendered":"Who Is Influencing Our Government Leaders?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n              <span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have all heard the idioms about history repeating itself. But the actual revelation comes from Ecclesiastes, where Solomon declared, \u201cThere is nothing new under the sun.\u201d The things that we see happening in our nation or around leaders have happened before. Things like abortion, transgenderism, and the assassination of political figures are nothing new; we can trace these things in the Bible. While in prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed to an intercessor a demonic tactic at work now, targeting those in authority, and a strategy to combat it.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW53220868 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"x_msonormal\" data-ccp-parastyle-defn=\"1&quot;,&quot;ClassId&quot;:1073872969,&quot;Properties&quot;:[201342446,&quot;1&quot;,201342447,&quot;5&quot;,201342448,&quot;1&quot;,201342449,&quot;1&quot;,469777841,&quot;Calibri&quot;,469777842,&quot;Calibri&quot;,469777843,&quot;Calibri&quot;,469777844,&quot;Calibri&quot;,201341986,&quot;1&quot;,469769226,&quot;Calibri&quot;,268442635,&quot;22&quot;,469775450,&quot;x_msonormal&quot;,201340122,&quot;2&quot;,134233614,&quot;true&quot;,469778129,&quot;xmsonormal&quot;,335572020,&quot;1&quot;,335559740,&quot;240&quot;,201341983,&quot;0&quot;,335559739,&quot;0&quot;,469778324,&quot;Normal&quot;]\">Get involved in\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW53220868 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"x_msonormal\">state-level<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW53220868 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"x_msonormal\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW53220868 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"x_msonormal\">p<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW53220868 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"x_msonormal\">rayer with IFA<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW53220868 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"x_msonormal\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mark Wadel and his wife now live in Texas. Before that, he was the Wyoming Co-State Prayer Leader for IFA. While studying the gifts of the Holy Spirit\u2014such as healing, tongues, and prophecy\u2014after a debate with family members who believe these gifts have ceased, the Holy Spirit revealed a Bible story\u2014specifically, the strategy Satan uses to target our governmental leaders.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, \u201cSet apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.\u201d <\/span>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. <\/span>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. <\/span>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. <strong>T<\/strong><\/span>here, they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,\u00a0 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, \u201cYou are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.\u201d Immediately, mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord (Acts 13:1-12).\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Holy Spirit prophetically highlighted this story to Mark to show him that this is still happening in our nation now, and what we can do about it. Christians are called to be the light of the world and a city on a hill. We are to be people of influence, but the enemy always seeks to counterfeit what is God\u2019s. Mark noticed this happening in Texas. The Muslim community, which is thriving in several Texas cities, came into several positions of authority under the Biden Administration. They have an organization called EMGAGE that encourages Muslims to run for local offices, such as city council and mayoral seats.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Mark went to the website, he noted that this organization is very much like Intercessors for America. They have engagement programs and even hold events at the state capitols. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a counterfeit, for what we have, the One true God, whose Son Jesus Christ, is on our side,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d he said. Mark believes that the Muslim community is attaching themselves to our elected officials and whispering in their ears, much like Bar-Jesus attached himself to the proconsul, which was a governor, for the purpose of gaining influence. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This isn\u2019t only highlighting Muslims<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mark said. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also have Hindu influence around our elected officials, those who are secretly false prophets, and those involved in sorcery around our elected officials<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The very answer to the enemy\u2019s plans is revealed in this same story. Thank you, Lord, that although Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, you came to give life. The enemy has familiar spirits and divination, which are counterfeits of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but real power belongs to our God. Here is a prophetic model of how God can use us to influence politicians.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The church was in a state of fasting, worship, and prayer (Acts 13:1). These were regular practices in the early church. Most Christians understand prayer, but we cannot neglect fasting with our prayer. Some things, usually deep things, can only be revealed and dealt with through the combination.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We must be people who fast and pray to be used by God in this way (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mark 9:25-29<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0The Holy Spirit sets apart Paul and Barnabas. They were obedient to the Holy Spirit\u2019s command: \u201cGo and proclaim my Word.\u201d (v2).<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray that believers will live set apart as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ecclesia<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, be obedient kingdom influencers, and run for local office (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Matthew 5:14-16<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those who are set apart are filled with the Holy Spirit ( v 3-4).<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray for a filling of the Holy Spirit to come upon them \u2013 that they would prophesy in their positions and that God would grant them victory over His enemies (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acts 1:8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proconsul wanted to hear the word of God, but Bar-Jesus was hindering it, whispering in his ear (v6-8).<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray that every false prophetic voice, whether Islam, Hinduism, witchcraft, or any false religion other than Christianity, will be exposed (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 Timothy 3:8-9<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray their influence will be muted before our politicians and leaders (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psalm 31:18<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly confronts the false prophet (v 9-10).<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray for boldness in the ecclesia to confront the false prophets through intercession, prayer, or in person (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proverbs 28:1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lord struck the false prophet with blindness, leaving him immobilized (v 11).\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray for the immobilization of the enemy\u2019s influence (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 Samuel 15:31<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proconsul comes to the faith after seeing a miracle (v 12).<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray that our leaders will encounter the Lord through signs, wonders, and miracles (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acts 4:29-30<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other ways we can pray<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray against the spirit of greed, which is often a primary weakness for politicians (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 Timothy 6:9<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray for a hedge of protection around our elected leaders, whether they are believers or not (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psalm 31:1-2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray they will be drawn to Christ, be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 Timothy 2:1-4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pray for strong biblical Pastors and ecclesia to disciple and influence our elected officials (see <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ephesians 4:11-16<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some may focus more on how the enemy is at work in our government or among our leaders, as Mark said, \u201cwe have the One true God.\u201d We are on the winning side! And God has given us the prophetic edge through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He lifts the veil and gives us revelation through reading His Word, during intercession, sometimes by dreams and visions, so that we can stand in the gap and partner with Him to see His kingdom come and His will be done.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there is much evil influence around our leaders, I am encouraged that He reveals strategies so we can strike the mark. God is not afraid of a challenge. He allowed Elijah to challenge the power of 450 false prophets of Baal and Asherah\u2019s 400. Fire fell from heaven, and people cried, The Lord, he is God! When the ark of His Presence was set in the temple of Dagon, it had to bow in His Presence, so much so that the Philistines sent gifts and could not get rid of it fast enough.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did what the LORD had commanded them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent! Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron\u2019s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7:10-11).\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">God<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not startled by Allah or any of the Hindu deities, but He looks for those to stand in the gap. He\u2019s looking for those bold like Elijah, perceptive like Paul, modern-day Pastors, intercessors, and believers, who aren\u2019t afraid to challenge false gods, expose false prophets, or pray bigger, bolder prayers. Let this be the year we, as the ecclesia, legislate in the heavenlies and bring heaven\u2019s results to earth through our intercession and engagement.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be interceding for our leaders?<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Spotify<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anchor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and listen to her podcast, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Something To Share<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<h4>How are you praying for our leaders? Share your prayers and scriptures below.<\/h4>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\n&#13;\n            <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reading Time: 6 minutes We have all heard the idioms about history repeating itself. But the actual revelation comes from Ecclesiastes, where Solomon declared, \u201cThere is nothing new under the sun.\u201d The things that we see happening in our nation or around leaders have happened before. Things like abortion, transgenderism, and the assassination of political<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[210,3538,250],"class_list":["post-12773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-prayer","tag-government","tag-influencing","tag-leaders"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12773\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}