Transforming lives with Good News in the Nation’s Capital

Covering the Capital: Shutdowns & Shuffles

Oct 7, 2025

With the federal government shutdown, it’s an interesting time to be in Washington! In last week’s Covering the Capital, we mentioned, for prayer, the possibility of a shutdown, and now it’s in full swing! Fewer members of Congress are in town due to the impasse, and now many of their staff members have been told not to come to work. This shutdown has impacted a major event we’ve been working on, the She Leads America Summit, which starts Wednesday. We’ve had to scramble to find new rooms in which to meet, but thankfully, that has worked out. On the other hand, any communication with members and staffers has been limited, so it’s been a challenge! Please pray for resolution to any outstanding logistical issues and clarity for any last-minute changes in the program.

As you know, we cannot stand up for religious freedom in this country, engage with members of Congress, or minister to staffers and interns without your support! Please prayerfully consider giving to Faith & Liberty for the first time or supporting our ministry with a monthly recurring gift to help us fulfill our unique and vital mission.

This is also an active week at the U.S. Supreme Court. Today (Tuesday) the Court heard oral argument in the Chiles v. Salazar case over a Colorado Christian counseling ban affecting minors. Christians were praying outside the Court for today’s session.

Please pray with us for the Supreme Court, for the Justices and their staff, and for wise decisions on Chiles and two upcoming cases regarding “transgender” athletes in women’s sports. Thank you for standing with Faith & Liberty as we take these cases seriously and pray that God’s will be done!

Your missionaries in Washington, D.C.,

Faith & Liberty team

You form the backbone of Faith & Liberty because of your prayers and financial support. Please also pray about becoming one of our vitally important monthly contributors. Sign up for monthly giving on our website using the DONATE button below and select the option, “I would like to make this a recurring donation.” If you prefer to call, please ask for Patty Bills at the Faith & Liberty office at 202-737-1776, and she will gladly assist you. You truly are an important part of our ministry, and we thank you!

MINISTRY RECAP

  • Praise the Lord with us as our Bible studies, including a 7 a.m. study, have been packed! Participants have been praying for a resolution to the government shutdown.


  • We hosted intern training on Saturday afternoon at our Ministry Center to help new interns learn about opportunities in our nation's capital.

  • We held prayer training for the U.S. Supreme Court for this term.  Faith & Liberty hosted 50 people who were scheduled for a three-day prayer walk around the Court and Capitol Hill.

 

COMING SOON
  • Peggy Nienaber, our senior vice president, will be praying and speaking at the National Consecration of the Court, an annual solemn assembly hosted by the Judicial Action Group Foundation. Through worship, Scripture, prophetic prayer, and youth-led moments of intercession, we will consecrate the U.S. Supreme Court to God’s purposes. Peggy was asked to pray specifically for Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch. 
  • Despite the changes due to the shutdown, the She Leads America Summit is still on this week! We are sponsoring a Congressional Prayer Breakfast for congressional women and hosting a Defending the Dignity of Women panel with some members of Congress and women who have had challenges in their lives.  
  • Faith & Liberty will host a breakfast for She Leads America at our Ministry Center on Friday. This will give us an opportunity to share all that we are doing on Capitol Hill, along with a time for those in attendance to pray for our ministry work.  
  • Because of the shutdown and with some events canceled and locations shifted, we have decided to add a Prayer Walk on Capitol Hill to pray with the women and men who will be in Washington. 
  • Faith & Liberty’s senior pastor, Rev. Greg Cox, will meet and share with the Mordecai Men who are husbands of the women of the She Leads America movement. 
  • This Saturday, October 11, we’ll be part of Communion America with its mile-long communion table on the National Mall. This has never been done before in our nation’s capital! We invite you to participate by joining this huge gathering of believers from all 50 states. Our director of strategic partnerships, Patty Bills, is happy to share any details on finding your state’s tent for prayer along with event details. Email her at [email protected]. 
  • In mid-October, Faith & Liberty will host another 24-hour Prayer Night. We’ll be praying for our country, the congressional staffers working on Capitol Hill, and the nations. 
  • Peggy Nienaber and Lindsey Cruz will be attending the NHCLC Leadership Summit on October 14 in Washington. The theme of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference is “What is of God, always wins.”


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