Gillan is the executive editor for The Presidential Prayer Team (PPT), a privately funded, non-partisan, and non-profit organization that encourages people to pray for the country’s leaders. She writes updates that post every Wednesday on the PPT website as well as material for special prayer events.
The organization started in 2001. Several people already had been discussing with each other the idea of establishing such an organization shortly after the contentious 2000 presidential election. The September 11 tragedy led them to start PPT immediately, and the website was launched September 18.
Today, roughly 500,000 people receive the updates, and many of the recipients pass them on to others, says Gillan. Updates include prayer requests for leaders and current events.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 is foundational for the organization: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
PPT also sponsors diverse initiatives that have included praying for members of the military or for college campuses, such as Virginia Tech, after they were struck by violence.
One of the current initiatives is Pray the Vote – an initiative that encourages people to pray for the upcoming election. PPT will host an online prayer rally between noon on November 2 and midnight November 3. “When you take part in this extraordinary event,” states the prayer rally website, “you will join with thousands of other concerned intercessors, bringing the November 4 elections before God’s holy throne, uniting our hearts before our Father as we continue to cover the election with prayer!”
People are encouraged to sign up for a specific time to participate in the rally. PPT will post an online prayer guide as well as other resources.
Gillan already is assembling material for people to use during the days between the election and the new president’s inauguration. Each day will focus on a different need or cabinet position and include a scripture reading, a one-paragraph reflection, and a prayer.
“Right now, ‘I’m looking for a scripture that’s germane to choosing a Secretary of Defense,” Gillan says, laughing.
Visitors can post prayer requests for leaders on the site’s “prayer wall.” If the prayers are partisan and inappropriate they are removed, Gillan says. Partisan prayers are allowed to remain if they are respectful and “heartfelt.”
Gillan emphasizes the organization is non-partisan. PPT has sought input and prayer requests from campaigns of both the Democratic and Republican candidates. The two campaigns have shown “a great deal of interest,” she notes.
Gillan says her faith has been enriched as a result of coming to a deeper understanding of prayer. “This has been a wonderful experience for me,” she says. “When you have a person in your heart and are praying for them, it takes on a new meaning.”
