Prayer for Brexit

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The Chairman of CTiW, the Rev’d Jonathan Evens, has issued the following message for member churches:

 

“Churches Together in Westminster support the calls to prayer issued by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) and National Call 2 Prayer (NC2P) in the period leading up to the United Kingdom’s planned exit from the European Union and commend both the prayer resources issued by CTBI and the vigil organised by NC2P. 

 

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) has issued a request that all its member churches and associated bodies join together in a time of dedicated prayer for the political situation in the United Kingdom. CTBI believe that this is a time that requires particular prayers for discernment and wisdom, as well as a time for deep listening to God’s call to live together in peace and justice.

 

CTBI especially asks that churches, and everyone of faith, join together in praying for our politicians and political institutions.

 

Moderator of CTBI, HE Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Archbishop of London said “this is a time at which many feel anger and anxiety over the future, and so we need to pray that those who have the heavy burden of political leadership in our country find a unity that brings our communities together in the task of serving the common good. We hope and pray that every person of faith will join us in prayer across our nation, and beyond.”

 

CTBI General Secretary, Bob Fyffe, added that resources are being produced to serve the churches in this task. He also welcomed the supportive comments of Church leaders across Britain and Ireland.

 

HG the Archbishop of Canterbury and HG the Archbishop of York said:

 

‘We echo the call of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to Christians and all those of faith and goodwill to give time for prayer beginning this Sunday in their local churches or as they choose: praying for wisdom, courage, integrity and compassion for our political leaders and all MPs; for reconciliation; and for fresh and uniting vision for all in our country.’

 

The words of both Archbishops were endorsed by the Rt Rev Susan Brown, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland along with The Most Revd John Davies, Archbishop of Wales.

 

Rev Brian Anderson, President of the Irish Council of Churches, said: “As we come together in prayer at this time of uncertainty we are mindful of the importance of protecting relationships in the interest of the common good. We particularly want to encourage public representatives, and all others who give leadership in our society, to weigh their words carefully, to respect the integrity of those who conscientiously differ from them and to speak with grace.”

 

Patrick Coyle, Moderator of Cytun (Churches Together in Wales) also welcomed the initiative saying “this is a critical time in our history when the need to put all our effort, physical and spiritual into supporting our political leaders in their crucial work of building strong communities. I welcome this important call to prayer.”

 

In addition NC2P are planning a National Day of Prayer on Thursday 28th March and to have a week of prayer surrounding it with four flagship events, with one 7-8pm in Parliament Square. NC2P is a vision, inspired by Christians in Government, to call God’s church across the UK to pray for the nation at this key moment of transition. The vision is that all Christians, regardless of their denomination, political views and location in the UK come together to pray for the Nation – asking for God’s will to be done and for Him, as the good shepherd to guide and comfort our nation.

 

CTBI’s prayer resources can be found at  https://ctbi.org.uk/brexit-and-the-churches-call-for-national-days-of-prayer/ and details of the NC2B vigil at https://ctntp.uk/2019/02/04/national-call-to-prayer-28th-march-christians-in-government/.   “