Two hours after Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock was elected Texas House speaker on Tuesday, Christian worshippers gathered in a Capitol meeting room to prepare for “spiritual war” and protect lawmakers from demonic forces.

Throngs of Republican grassroots activists poured into the Texas Capitol on buses from around the state Tuesday, ready to send a message to state lawmakers: The building is not the government’s, but God’s.

The gathering had all the hallmarks of a weekly church worship service — attendees sung praise and worship songs, a minister gave a brief sermon, personal testimonies were shared and participants prayed together.

This launch is groundbreaking, fueling our current operations and growth in Texas, Oklahoma, and soon in Louisiana.