In February, three leaders from California, Patricia Lynn Taylor, Jana Shields, and Lani Felberg, arrived in Washington, DC for the annual Southwest Coastal DC prayer journey.
On Monday morning, the trio meet with Barbara Potts from the Capitol Hill Prayer Partners. Barbara shared how she spends a great deal of time praying in the House and Senate galleries and reading and learning from congressional records. Her focus is for our nation to return to her foundational roots. The group prayed over Barbara personally as well as making decrees and declarations over the nation.
During their time with Faith McDonnell from the American Center for Prayer and Revival, Faith shared Marxist ideas that are alive in our current society like, ‘better to not be political’, ‘Romans 13 tells us that we must submit to the governing authorities’, and ‘ungodly immigration policies’. She quoted Abraham Lincoln who said, “What will destroy America, will come from within.” Faith was very encouraging in telling us that as part of the Body of Christ, we have a part to play. It was a joy to join with her and pray at the end of our time together.
To end our first full day we joined Eve Nunez, an orthodox Jew, who took us to her home that is a prayer and worship center. Along with hosting Bible studies, leading a Shabbat dinner every Friday for a large group, she also works as a youth pastor in raising up the next generation of intercessors. After a time of prayer together, we went to dinner where we meet a friend of Eve’s who is running for Senate from Michigan, Dr. Sherry O’Donnell. We were blessed to pray over her journey.
On Tuesday morning, we prayer walked along the road of many of the International Embassies. The first Embassy was Israel’s and we were able to spend a great deal of time praying over the picture of each hostage taken during the Oct 7, 2023 massacre. As we stood in front of each Embassy, Holy Spirit stirred our hearts with specific declarations and decrees to make.
Later in the afternoon we met up with Nigel and Sandy Lidiard who were leading worship at David’s Tent. After their session, we were blessed to pray over them.
On Wednesday morning, we met Connie Lindsley who has served in missionary work. An amazing note about Connie is that during the deliberations of the Supreme Court about Roe vs Wade, she and others were in the basement of the Senate building, in the archives of every word ever spoken on the Senate floor with the volume open to the exact moment Roe vs Wade became law declaring over it, “It must be reversed.”
Later that evening, we went to the National Cathedral for the Anglican service. We followed this time of prayer with a wonderful Mexican dinner and delightful conversation. Hearing testimonies of others always increases our faith.
Thursday morning we meet with Jason Hershey. Time spent in prayer and worship and hearing the specifics of what takes place at David’s Tent, the needs. He said that what takes place at David’s Tent was not designed to be managed by a staff of people on site, but by volunteer groups from each state coming in to take 6-hour segments to lead prayer and worship. Where there are no state groups, the staff has to manage and it can wear them thin. Jason mentioned that from the beginning, Aglow has always helped and supported. Aglow purchased the first batch of chairs for the tent and monthly a team from Aglow comes by to support in prayer and worship.
Following our meeting with Jason, we met with Peggy Neinaber who wears several hats in DC, one being that she is a chaplain for the Capitol Police. She has a heart for youth and the next generation and has an amazing ministry for young congressional interns and staffer. She said that there is a real move of the Spirit through the young generation but they need others to support and guide them.
For lunch we went to the Senate office building and then asked the Lord how we were to pray. We walked by each office and prayed as we felt God directing us.
Next, we walked around the Supreme Court stopping many times to pray and make decrees. We specifically prayed for safety and protection for all the Justices and that they would be guided by God’s Wisdom and Biblical values.
The Capitol was our next stop. We prayed on the Senate side, then the middle of the building where we called for unity in the Spirit, and then on the House side. Jana felt that we were to pray and repent for confusion and chaos from January 6th as we walked on the grounds of the Capitol.
To end the day, we walked two miles to attend our final night of prayer and worship at the House of Prayer at Capitol Turnaround.
Patricia Lynn said that a highlight for her was the last night of prayer and worship where she was able to pray for deliverance for a lady who was there. Several came up to her and thanked her for the words she spoke to them. It was like a sweet kiss from God for being obedient.
Lani said that while she has made many trips into D.C. to pray for the nation and those leading it, she felt this trip was different and more impactful. She realized that the purpose of the trip was to pray for specific people and their specific needs. It was relational and purposeful in targeting our prayers and decrees for the needs of those serving in D.C.