Reading Time: 3 minutes
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
In early March, IFA intercessors learned that the “satanic grotto” in Kansas planned a “black mass” in the Capitol Rotunda on March 28. Their purpose was to declare that Kansas was under satanic rule, partially in retaliation for a well-attended March and Rally for Life in Topeka in January. This was the first time Kansans for Life displayed thousands of tiny replicas of babies lost to abortion in Kansas. Kansas is clearly working to remove abortion from our state, and the “satanic grotto” is pro-abortion. They are also against any religious expression in our government, claiming the separation of church and state argument.
Do you want state prayer alerts?
IFA intercessors began interceding during our prayer calls, culminating in the Monday night and Friday morning calls, which happened right before the demonstrations began in Topeka. Christians across the state and even in other areas of the nation were very active. Our prayer focus was to re-dedicate Kansas and the Capitol to the Lord.
CatholicVote launched a petition to stop the satanic event that gathered 95,000 signatures. Catholics were particularly concerned about the possible desecration of the communion host, which the satanic group attempted to do on that Friday morning. During the event, Catholics held masses and prayed the rosary on the grounds.
An additional blessing was the actions taken by our legislators to oppose the “black mass.” The Kansas House passed a resolution by a vote of 101 to 15 to state their objection, and the Senate voted to denounce the planned “satanic worship.” Attorney General Kris Kobach, along with the Speaker of the House and the Kansas Senate President, passed a resolution to provide highway patrol protection on March 28.
By March 13, news had gone out that the “mass” would not be allowed on Capitol grounds at all. We soon learned, however, that although they would not be allowed in the Rotunda, they would be allowed on the grounds. Governor Kelly apparently felt First Amendment rights were in question and the Satanists should be allowed to demonstrate. However, as Kobach pointed out, grotto leader Michael Stewart had already threatened Kansas legislative members. First Amendment rights should not be a cover for threatening situations where crime is a real possibility. Stewart did break the law that Friday when he entered the Rotunda. He was warned that he could not demonstrate there but attempted to do that anyway. After punching a young man, he was arrested.
The event was covered nationally. On March 31, the “Early Edition” with Evita Duffy-Alfonso accurately discussed the events of the so-called “black mass.” The most encouraging part of the news report was her support of the Kansas opposition to the satanic attempt to declare Satan lord of our state and to intimidate us. She described it as a “battle over American identity” and was proud that Kansas stood up and declared “Christ is King.” IFA stood with TPUSA leaders, Catholic leaders, pastors, churches, legislators, and leaders in our government as we all stood as watchmen on the wall and proclaimed the goodness of the Lord.
State groups are mobilizing across the nation, not just in Kansas. Click here to start praying with faithful intercessors in your state!
(Lani Kirsch is IFA’s Kansas State Leader. Photo Credit: JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)