2nd August 2024

Today is the 90th anniversary of the day that Adolf Hitler became, in effect, the Dictator in Germany. He was already Chancellor, but on the death that day of the President, Hindenburg, he announced the merger of the two offices with himself assuming both. A couple of weeks later there was a popular vote endorsing his appointment by almost 90%. I wonder if the German people had any idea of the consequences of what had happened or, indeed, did the rest of the world understand it? I doubt it!

There have already been some important political events this year in various countries – a new government here, an attempted political assassination in America, an unforeseen electoral result in France and the American presidential election still to come.

The reaction of Christians in Germany as events unfolded in the 1930s was mixed – some trying to reconcile the events with their faith and even justify them, others standing firm against the excesses that followed.

It is difficult to imagine that the political events that we are witnessing could have any such dire consequences – but then we can’t be sure. And that is where prayer comes in. I am not suggesting we pray for what we each individually believe to be the appropriate developments, but rather that we pray for the best outcomes – for God to be behind whatever comes about – for the benefit of everyone and the whole world.

David T Roberts