Each Sunday in the run up to the UK general election on Thursday 4 July, Churches across Scotland will be praying for candidates, voters, and all engaged in the democratic process.
Church leaders from across Scotland, including the Primus, the Most Rev Mark Strange, have offered words that may be used. This Sunday, they continue to “encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election” with this prayer:
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
You send forth your Spirit into all the earth
That we might know you
And your will for all creation.
Grant to us knowledge that your will might be done
In the times in which we live.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You rule over the nations
And call them to account
That they might better reflect your purposes
And your desire for all humanity to flourish.
Grant to us a concern for all who share in the life of our nation
That together we might flourish and prosper and grow.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You call us to hear again the ancient words,
Engraved in the Central Lobby of Parliament:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
The builders labour in vain.
Grant that these words may continue to inspire
And to offer counsel to those elected to office.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You call us to live
As citizens of the world that is to come
And so may we strive to see your Kingdom come
On earth as it is in heaven.
As good citizens, may we participate in our community
As you guide us so to do, through Christ and by your Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Signed:
Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
Rt. Rev. Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
Col. Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Rev. Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Rev. Dr Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Rev. Ruairidh MacRae, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
Rt. Rev. Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
Rev. Trevor Howard, Churches in Communities International