Pray for: United Kingdom

Britain needs to discover a sense of purpose and direction for the 21st century – especially in the aftermath of Brexit, COVID, economic crises, government corruption, and the passing of much-loved Queen Elizabeth II. The sense of nationhood and core identity diminished after the British Empire ended, and continues to fragment. The Christian tradition once formed the foundation of society, but today minority religions, especially Islam, also receive significant attention and government support. Astrology, New Age, the occult, and old-world paganism (Druid/Wicca) are all slowly becoming more popular, but none as fast as spirituality and religion are declining. Less than half of England and Welsh identify as Christian, a precipitous decline even in the last 20 years. The “freedoms” of the 1960s had disastrous social consequences, and Britain has alarming levels of alcohol and drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, prostitution, gambling addiction, and personal debt. In almost every century of the last 800 years, revival came to Britain at least once. The last was in 1859-1869. Many Christians pray for another great spiritual awakening. 

Britain’s cultural, diplomatic, economic, and military influence shapes the world. It is head of the Commonwealth and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Despite growing realization of the costs of Brexit, London remains one of the world’s hub cities for finance, travel, politics, and culture. The UK has also contributed significantly to global Christianity for centuries, from Wycliffe and Tyndale until today with the Alpha Course, 24-7 Prayer, and many evangelical writers, theologians, and worship leaders. Pray for this influence to be used for the sake of what is just and right.

Immigration is a reality of national life. In London, over 50 nationalities have communities of over 10,000 people, and every nationality in the world is represented here! Many Brits struggle to welcome immigrants, and immigrants struggle to adjust to life in the UK. Some react negatively to these changes, but society must face the challenges of many cultures living together in peace. Immigration blesses the UK Church in 2 ways:

• Widespread immigration from strongly Christian nations (such as Nigeria, Brazil, others) brings new church life and growth. Around 1,500 Christian missionaries have come into the UK from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The Church also grew from conversions among Africans, Chinese, Polish, “Travellers” (Romani/Gypsy), and even some among South Asians and other groups.
• Many immigrants come from the world’s least-evangelized nations, and now live on the doorstep of Christian churches! Pray for God’s people to open their doors, homes, and hearts to the peoples around them. Pray for local congregations to plant new churches, reach new peoples, and glorify Jesus by partnership with believers from many lands.