The focus of this week’s prayers is again on the General Election, and specifically the economy. In January 2009, at the height of the Credit Crunch, I wrote an article detailing, as I saw it, how the nation’s economy got into such terrible problems. The following draws on elements of that article.
June 3 – Since 2007/08, our nation has been in the midst of great economic pressures with a large ongoing budget deficit, growing overall national debt with all the resultant extra interest charges to be paid, and low standard of living growth. The last 16 years have been tough for many.
Of course there have been many winners in this, especially those whose mortgages are paid off, or who bought a house 10 years ago and have seen their value dramatically increase since.
However, for a lot of people, it has been a time of financial squeeze and money pressures, especially with the impact of Covid-19 for three years from 2020-23. We see the stresses all this has put on the very fabric of our society with the growing disparity between the haves and have nots.
Father, as we continue to pray for our nation as we prepare for the July 4th General Election, we lay it all before You and ask for Your peace and grace for our nation, and its leaders.
We ask that the Church in this nation may be empowered and energised to point many people to Christ, to the true wealth and riches of His grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
June 4 – Father, we face many challenges, both internally and externally. Internally through the Cost of Living challenges, and the impact on our public services of a rapidly expanding population. Externally, through the wars and political unrest in many nations.
Raise up women and men of insight and sound judgement, people who know how to lead our nation in such a way that our debt levels begin to be addressed, and a fruitful, long term plan put in place to move the nation to a more just, righteous and prosperous place for the vast majority in it.
We pray for those who have had little pay increase, for those who can only find part-time work when they are looking for full-time work, and for those who face the possibility of zero-hour contracts which are not counted as income when applying for rent, mortgages or credit.
May they come to know Jesus the Saviour. The true source of Your Shalom, peace, wholeness and completeness. As the Electioneering continues, may it be known that all that we truly need is only found in the Lord Jesus. Amen.
June 5 – Father, for those who think they are the ‘masters of the universe,’ who act as though they know best, and who feather their own nests at the expense of many others, awaken them to the reality of what Your word says on such matters.
We ask that those who seemingly have it all, but are governed by covetousness, greed and self-interest – that You would lead them to repentance and humility at Jesus’ feet. That their redeemed lifestyles will then be a wonderful witness to the Gospel’s power to save and transform both rich and poor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
June 6 – Father, on this 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings which led ultimately to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control – we remember all who died, were injured, who fought, supported and enabled the Allied Armies.
We remember the sacrifice in blood, sweat and tears, and the incredible effort many put in to ensure ultimate victory on VE Day. For the remaining few veterans still alive, uphold and sustain them. For all still alive who were involved or contributed to the ultimate success of the landings, may they be found in Christ – their only true eternal hope for salvation.
We ask for today’s political, business and military leaders in this nation. Raise up many Daniels endowed with Your wisdom, insight, knowledge, understanding and devotion to Christ who will lead our nation in godly, fruitful ways. May many who don’t know Jesus turn to Him in repentance and faith.
As we consider that there will be more years of difficult choices for our new government, no matter whether Labour or Conservative. We pray for the election – may the women and men of Your choice be elected to Parliament from across the UK.
Where a radical redrawing of the welfare map is needed in our nation, whichever government is elected in July 2024, as the new government then deals with the ongoing budget deficit, we ask that Your servants already in these spheres of life will shine as beacons of sound judgement and strong biblical wisdom.
That their relationship to You will be seen as the thing that sets them apart and draws others to follow the same pathway. Transform the political and economic priorities towards biblical principles for society, and its good and welfare. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
June 7 – Father, many key decision makers in our banks and lending institutions put risk, personal gain and corporate pride above the good of their depositors, customers and our nation’s wellbeing.
Forgive them Lord. Lead many in repentance so they begin to understand what they have done and are doing is wrong. Instead of seeing profit as their god, the stock markets their masters – may they humble themselves before Christ as their Savour and Lord.
May the Christians in such settings stand out as beacons of true light and hope, pointing to a better way of working in such settings. May the fear of the Lord return to our government and all aspects of our economy.
Some have not been afraid to sacrifice their employees and customers on the altar of profit and greed. As we watch ongoing financial scandals, and the many other complicated scams, we acknowledge that it is theft and self-interest on a massive scale.
The financial sector is huge in our nation – but it is also a sector prone to excess and greed. Forgive us for allowing our nation to become dependent on Credit and Consumer spending.
You gave industry, productivity, and love and sensitivity to others, and to their needs as a primary function of any nation. May the UK Church rise to the challenge of calling our government and nation to such a way of life.
May our new government, post General Election, also rise to the challenge and begin to put structural changes in place that will bless our nation and turn it onto righteous pathways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
June 8 – Father, the policy makers in our land have failed us because they did not heed You nor Your word. Help us Lord, and deliver us from their godless policies.
May a new generation of believers arise who engage constructively with the future of our nation, follow the pattern of Your word, are Spirit-filled and guided, and begin to address the huge issues that godless policies and ideologies have created.
Save our nation and its leaders. Turn our darkness into Christ’s marvellous light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
June 9 – Father, as Pastor Alisha focusses on Limitless Youth today, as she preaches in church – we ask for your blessing and favour on her ministry. Raise up many to join her in the ministry to young people – women and men with hearts open, teachable and committed to the young people and our ministry to them under her leadership. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Father, for our nation – there is a downward spiral of increasing borrowing, rising national debt, and large structural problems with the economy. We spend more than bring in in revenue and taxes.
Many of our leaders have forgotten You, and are struggling to lead us out of this. We see and hear them argue about methodologies, but not about the need for national repentance and revival, a turning to You, Lord Jesus.
We acknowledge there have been policies and ways of working through this which have helped alleviate some of the worst problems, the Covid support an example of this compared to what some other countries in similar straits faced.
We thank You for those who are working tirelessly in government, the civil service, banking and business, for the good of all and not just the few. We ask that they may be promoted above those whose only concern is political expediency, profit and a great pay packet for themselves and their friends.
We cry out to You Lord, in Judgement, remember mercy on the UK. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
