Appeal to Heaven: Members of Congress Join to Pray for Nation

Suzanne Bowdey : Oct 31, 2025
The Washington Stand

"This isn't just a national prayer call from Congress. It's a step toward something our country desperately needs—a spiritual revival and awakening."

[WashingtonStand.com] Thirty days into an increasingly painful government shutdown— and political divides as deep as they've ever been—a group of House conservatives is making it clear that while Washington may not have the solution to America's problems, God does. As frustrations boil over in Congress and the country struggles to cope with the fallout, the House Freedom Caucus—together with Family Research Council—decided to host a special "Congress Prays for America" call Thursday evening to ask, not just for an end to the leaders' impasse, but also for spiritual healing in our broken land. (Image: iStock-Phototreat)

"When Members of Congress bow their heads together," Dr. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and FRC President Tony Perkins insisted in a joint column announcing the event, "they acknowledge that the power to restore this nation doesn't lie in the levers of politics, but in the hands of Providence. God can bring revival to the very place where division has taken root: the United States Capitol."

Pausing to recognize the significance of the moment, Harris told people at the beginning of the call, "It's not often in Washington that we pause long to admit that no matter how strong our convictions or how fierce the debates around us, we are ultimately dependent on someone far greater than ourselves. Prayer isn't a sign of weakness," he wanted those assembled to know. "It's a declaration of humility that our wisdom is limited, our strength is finite, and our hope rests in the hands of a faithful God. In times like these," he insisted, "when our nation feels divided, when political violence and fear threaten to harden our hearts, prayer is exactly what we need."

At the end of the day, Harris emphasized, "We can draft laws and cast votes, but only God can change hearts. Scripture reminds us, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray. And that's what we're doing tonight. So as we begin this call, I ask each of you to open your hearts. May He hear us tonight."

For close to an hour, congressmen from Pennsylvania to Arizona asked God's mercy, wisdom, and guidance on the nation and its leaders. They prayed specifically for President Donald Trump, for peace in Israel, for an end to the violent rhetoric, for protection from our enemies, and provision in times of lack. As Perkins underscored from the outset, "We gather with the recognition that we need God's help."

Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC), like so many, expressed his gratitude for the rare opportunity to humbly link arms with other elected officials "at this very hour to seek Your face, to call out Your name, to know that our dependence is ultimately upon You. [We are here] seeking Your grace and Your mercy as you move mightily across this nation."

His colleague, Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller (R), expressed her dismay at the confusion gripping our nation. "I just pray for wisdom," she declared. "Lord,You said that death and life are in the power of the tongue. I pray You'd help us speak words that restore and words that can reconcile people back to Yourself and Your word and exalt You. And Lord, we are reminded that [Your] ways are perfect and every word of God is true." (Image: Unsplash-Ben White /Samuel Branch-edited)

Dr. Frank Turek, who was at Charlie Kirk's side when he drew his last breath, specifically prayed for civility to return to our nation. "Help us to be peacemakers," he implored. "Help us to stand on the truth without being caustic, without being unkind. But help us to stand and reach out to those [who] oppose us. We're to pray for our enemies," he said, "so that's what we're doing here today. We have seen so much violence. There's an aura of rage about the country. Much of it makes absolutely no sense. It can only be demonic in nature. So we pray it away."

"Hear, Lord, hear our cry for mercy," Turek continued. "Sovereign Lord, my strong Deliverer, You shield us in the day of battle. Do not grant the wicked their desires. Lord, do not let their plans succeed. May Your plan succeed that they become Christians. [Help] the Christians become more like You. We're here to know You and to make You known. Help us to do that better."

Closing the time of prayer was former Trump official, Dr. Ben Carson, who insisted that the need to unite in prayer was never more timely. "Lord, we come before You today to pray for our nation," he began. "You have blessed the United States with freedom and opportunity and a rich legacy of faith. You've taken us from a ragtag bunch of militiamen to the pinnacle of the world in record time. But we know that all goodness comes from You, Lord, and without You, we can do nothing. We ask for Your healing upon the divisions in our nation," he reiterated. "Our nation is so strong that it can't be taken down militarily, but it can be taken down from inside—and there are many agents trying to facilitate that."

"We need You," Carson insisted, "Your wisdom and Your guidance for our leaders. Please restore the righteousness in our homes, integrity in our institutions, unity among our people."

Reflecting on the seriousness of the hour, Harris and Perkins agreed: "This isn't just a national prayer call from Congress. It's a step toward something our country desperately needs—a spiritual revival and awakening." In these challenges, they wanted people to know, "America's hope doesn't rest in Washington, but it can start there." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Suzanne Bowdey serves as editorial director and senior writer at The Washington Stand.