Day 31: Wednesday 17th April pray for our nation

England, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, was in a moral quagmire and a spiritual cesspool. Thomas Carlyle described the country's condition as "Stomach well alive, soul extinct." Deism was rampant, and a bland, philosophical morality was standard fare in the churches. Sir William Blackstone visited the church of every major clergyman in London, but "did not hear a single discourse which had more Christianity in it than the writings of Cicero." In most sermons he heard, it would have been impossible to tell just from listening whether the preacher was a follower of Confucius, Mohammed, or Christ!

Morally, the country was becoming increasingly decadent. Drunkenness was rampant; gambling was so extensive that one historian described England as "one vast casino." Newborns were exposed in the streets; 97% of the infant poor in the workhouses died as children. Bear baiting and cock fighting were accepted sports, and tickets were sold to public executions as to a theater. The slave trade brought material gain to many while further degrading their souls. Bishop Berkeley wrote that morality and religion in Britain had collapsed "to a degree that was never known in any Christian country."

This is a description of England before the Wesleyan Revival. Does it ring any bells around today? I’d say all the things mentioned there would have their modern parallels in today's Britain. Was it a desperate situation Yes. Was God Gracious yes He was. His presence and power swept through this nation and completely transformed it!

Is it desperate now Yes!! Is God still gracious yes. Pray for God to sweep through this land. Please ask mercy for Britain!

Where to start? First start with Thanks giving.

There are so many wonderful things about Britain. We are so blessed. We have great institutions, our country is generally free from ground level corruptions. We’re relatively safe. Our police are not corrupt, unlike most of the countries I hear about. We truly live in a beautiful nation with amazing countryside. We have generally lived in an age not affected by war. The list goes on. We have many things in this nation to thank God for.

Secondly pray for our Politicians and our Queen. I’m not generally a royalist however we have a wonderful queen who I believe truly, truly loves Jesus and has often provided guidance and stability in what is often a broken factionalised political system and Nation. If you don’t believe me check out her speeches at Christmas!!

Pray for our politicians. Paul instructs us to pray for all those in authority over us for a peaceful life. Do you know I don’t think most of them go into it to get rich (There are far easier ways to do that) I think most politicians, on all sides, go into politics to make the nation a better place. Even if we don’t agree with their methodology.

Please pray for our Prime minister Teressa May. I don’t agree with her policies on a lot of things, but I believe she has a real Christian faith. Please pray for Wisdom and guidance.

Please pray for Jeremy Corbyn the leader of the opposition,  again I don’t agree with him on a lot of things however, I do feel that he shares a heart with God for Social Justice for the poorest in society.
Again please pray for wisdom and guidance for him.

Keep praying for this nation generally as I can’t think of a time when we were in such a mess. Ask God for Mercy for us, ask God for revival.

Come Lord Jesus come!

Helpful verses

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Daniel 2:21

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. ...

Habakkuk 3:2
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O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.