Praying for our leaders …
Dear Friends,
This month begins with the General Election on 4th July. Whoever is elected, and whichever party (or parties) forms the next government, there will certainly be many changes. For example, we shall have a new MP elected to serve in our new constituency of Melton and Syston. As well as all the changes, the General Election also comes at a challenging time for our world. A few weeks ago, when calling the General Election, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared, ‘Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than at any time since the Cold War.’ And in response, Labour leader Keir Starmer addressed voters, stating, ‘It will feel like a long campaign but, no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.’
At this time of change and challenge, what – if anything – do we hope for from our newly elected leaders? For example, do they have a vision for our nation which articulates what a good society should look like, and policies which can then turn that vision into reality? Only time will tell, but whoever is in government will certainly face considerable financial constraints and have to make many difficult choices.
Paul Woolley (CEO at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity) recently wrote that “the state of our politics reflects the state of our souls. .. Politics is about organising our common life, and participating in it is an act of neighbourly love.” How might we participate? As well as exercising our democratic right to vote, we can pray for our nation and its leaders. As St. Paul puts it, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live" (1 Timothy 2. 1, 2 The Message).
Here is a prayer for our nation and our leaders:
God of hope, in these times of change and challenge,
unite our nation and guide our leaders with your wisdom.
Give us courage to overcome our fears,
and help us to build a future in which all may prosper and share;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
With all good wishes,
John Barr, Rector
Dear Friends,
This month begins with the General Election on 4th July. Whoever is elected, and whichever party (or parties) forms the next government, there will certainly be many changes. For example, we shall have a new MP elected to serve in our new constituency of Melton and Syston. As well as all the changes, the General Election also comes at a challenging time for our world. A few weeks ago, when calling the General Election, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared, ‘Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than at any time since the Cold War.’ And in response, Labour leader Keir Starmer addressed voters, stating, ‘It will feel like a long campaign but, no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.’
At this time of change and challenge, what – if anything – do we hope for from our newly elected leaders? For example, do they have a vision for our nation which articulates what a good society should look like, and policies which can then turn that vision into reality? Only time will tell, but whoever is in government will certainly face considerable financial constraints and have to make many difficult choices.
Paul Woolley (CEO at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity) recently wrote that “the state of our politics reflects the state of our souls. .. Politics is about organising our common life, and participating in it is an act of neighbourly love.” How might we participate? As well as exercising our democratic right to vote, we can pray for our nation and its leaders. As St. Paul puts it, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live" (1 Timothy 2. 1, 2 The Message).
Here is a prayer for our nation and our leaders:
God of hope, in these times of change and challenge,
unite our nation and guide our leaders with your wisdom.
Give us courage to overcome our fears,
and help us to build a future in which all may prosper and share;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
With all good wishes,
John Barr, Rector