14th June 2024

You may feel that you have already had quite enough of the coming general election. I certainly do, I find myself leaving the room to avoid hearing certain politicians who, yet again, have found their way onto my TV screen.

But as I write this there are still over three weeks to go and we should be approaching the campaigns and the poll seriously and prayerfully. The bishops of the Church of England have “issued a call to put prayer and participation at the heart of the General Election campaign” and have started a campaign called #PrayYourPart “to promote prayer and participation in the life of our nation and communities, both as voters and as citizens”. You can find out more by clicking this link and you can sign up for their daily election reflections at this link.

The Compassion website suggests that we might pray as follows.

1) Pray for all the candidates standing for election. Ask that God will grant them peace as they await the results.

2) Give thanks to God that we live in a country where we have the right to vote.

3) Pray that the election will go peacefully and for protection over all those manning the stations and over voters.

4) Elections can be a time of uncertainty. Take a moment to pray for those who may be feeling anxious or worried.

5) Pray for those who will be voting for the first time in this election; that young people will feel equipped with the knowledge they need to cast their vote.

6) No matter what the election result, pray for the new government.

If you are out campaigning yourself, may God go with and bless your endeavours.

Nick Parsons