The Capitol Prayer Gathering

February 20, 2025  |  6:30 p.m. |  First Baptist Church, Santa Fe

The 2025 Capitol Prayer Gathering is an in-person gathering in Santa Fe. The event takes place at the beginning of the legislative session. Legislators are invited to attend the event as special guests free of charge.

The prayer gathering intentionally focuses upon prayer for state and legislative leaders. No keynote personality will speak. A program host will read lead in the corporate prayer program. While we unwaveringly practice and promote biblically founded convictions about many moral issues, in our prayer conversations with God, we ought to intercede for our leaders and state, as well.

A dessert will be served after the prayer time. This year’s program does not include a pre-program meal, shortening the overall time required of participants.

The Capitol Prayer Gathering, funded by the Cooperative Program, is planned and offered by the BCNM’s Christian Life Committee. The event is non-partisan.

Read more by viewing the questions below and their responses. To RSVP (free) for the event click on the event logo (to the right or below this paragraph).

First Baptist Church, Santa Fe, is located at 1605 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, 87505.

For questions not answered on this page, please call the Baptist Convention of New Mexico at (505) 924-2300.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen at the event?

Participants will pray for New Mexico’s legislators, Governor, other state officers, Supreme Court justices, and Public Regulation Commission members. The event includes dessert after the prayer program. During the program, a name caller will read groups of names and attendees will pray around tables for the named individuals. Participants can pray aloud as part of the prayer time or pray silently while listening to others. The roll-call-type praying will continue through every name. A brief Scripture reading and Gospel presentation will open the meeting. A spoken blessing will close the meeting.

The program will last 50-55 minutes, not including the dessert afterward.

Do I need to register?

Yes. Registration allows event planners to ensure sufficient space and food are available. You may access the event registration page by clicking here.

What does it cost to register and attend?

The event is free. Its costs are covered by generous gifts by churches to Cooperative Program, a Southern Baptist financial giving plan.

Who is invited to attend the gathering?

The Capitol Prayer Gathering is entirely non-partisan and non-denominational. It is a gathering of Christians and their guest for the sole purpose of prayer for government leaders. Individuals may attend and pray silently, respecting the atmosphere and intent of the meeting. No guests are required to pray aloud.

The event is open to anyone who wishes to participate, even individuals who are not associated with the Baptist Convention of New Mexico but who wish to join with others in biblical prayer for elected governmental leaders. Special invited guests include all members of the New Mexico House of Representatives, members of the New Mexico Senate, and other elected officials, officers and judges. Special guests attend at no cost.

The BCNM covers the cost for two members of BCNM churches to attend free of charge. Additional church leaders, members and non-Baptist Christians in the state are also encouraged to attend at a nominal cost. For more information, contact Brittany Barrett at (505) 924-2311.

Where is the gathering being held?

The BCNM’s Christian Life Committee appreciates the continued support of the congregation and leadership of First Baptist Church, Santa Fe, which will host the event in their gymnasium facility. The church also assists with the program, promoting the event, and providing food service. The committee expresses its sincere appreciation for the generosity and kindness of its FBC partners.

Is this a political event?

The Capitol Prayer Gathering is a biblically-inspired meeting of New Mexico Baptists to pray for our state government’s leaders.

It is not political. It does not address legislative issues, priorities or controversies. No keynote speaker is planned. No political party will be highlighted.

The gathering practices and promotes prayer for New Mexico lawmakers and other state officials. Its content consists entirely of Scripture, the Gospel, reading of names, and prayer segments.

The Bible calls on Christians to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4). New Mexico Baptists are committed to praying for our leaders, regardless of political affiliation or positions on various issues. Event organizers ask and encourage participants to pray for government leaders, not against them.

Who is sponsoring this event?

The Capitol Prayer Gathering is an official event of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. The BCNM is a fellowship of New Mexico Southern Baptist churches that voluntarily partner to carryout God’s mission in their communities, state, and around the world.

The convention’s Christian Life Committee plans and offers the event. The convention’s Office of Communication and Technology staff assists the CLC with the event. The team’s leader registers with the state as a lobbyist for the purpose of interacting with legislators to promote the event, placing it on the legislative calendar, and customarilly giving legislators an appreciation gift. Legislators and state leaders do not need to attend to receive the gift; it is distributed via sponsor at the New Mexico Roundhouse (our Capitol building).

The Capitol Prayer Gathering is funded by the generous gifts of BCNM churches to the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists’ voluntary shared giving program. The churches’ giving makes the Capitol Prayer Gathering a ministry of the churches to their state lawmakers and other state leaders.