A prayer for Brexit  

Baptist minister Jonathan Beer is urging congregations to pray for the Brexit separation negotiations, whatever our political views. He offers this short reflection and prayer

Reflection

We have watched events unfold from the time that our previous Prime Minister announced the referendum that would take place to establish our future relationship with the European Union.

Many of us will have a political perspective on this whole topic, but whatever those views might be we will almost certainly agree that the separation process is not straight-forward. With the exit date looming we are coming to a crucial time in terms of getting cabinet and parliamentary agreement to a structure that we then need to agree with the rest of the EU.

In our history, the not too distant past, our nation has been urged to pray, notably during the second world war when King George VI called for a ‘national day of prayer’ and the churches were packed with people. The challenge that we face today is very different, for which we should be thankful. However, it is a significant point in history and perhaps for many of us one of the most important political decisions of our lifetimes. I am therefore urging church congregations to make this topic a focus in the coming weeks, and have suggested a prayer that might be used.

We can be certain that things which might seem impossible for us are well within the power and capability of the Almighty God, but scripture encourages us to pray. Let’s do just that.



Prayer

Gracious, loving God we give thanks today for all of the blessings we have in the knowledge of your presence and your peace, we give thanks for our nation and the freedom that we enjoy.

Two years after the vote to leave the European Union we come to a critical time in the negotiations that seek to agree the basis on which the separation will work.

We pray for the senior members of our government as they meet together, we ask that in your mercy you would bring harmony and a common sense of purpose.

In the wider negotiations with the EU we pray that a mutually beneficial structure will be agreed that will enable crucial trading and cooperative relationships.

We are deeply thankful that for many years we have been blessed by relative peace and freedom from war in Europe. As a new chapter opens we earnestly pray for continued stability in this geographic area.

Finally we ask that as a nation we would be able to move forward together after the divisions that the referendum has exposed. May the Christian community provide support to the oppressed and the needy, and in our struggles encourage us to show the love and compassion of our Saviour,


Jesus Christ.
We bring our petitions to you, our eternal Father, in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, and by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen 

Image | iStockphoto.com | egal 

Prayer and reflection submitted by the Revd Jonathan Beer, minister of Romsey Baptist Church