Church of England releases prayer for national unity

Bishops within the Church of England have issued a prayer for unity within the UK that asks God’s protection from “the perils of division and hatred”. 

The prayer was published by the newly established Bishops’ Working Group for Promoting Unity in our Nation just before a significant rally organised by far-Right leader Tommy Robinson in London over the weekend. It gives thanks for all those that “construct up our common life”.

Bishop Martyn Snow, who leads the working group, said: “We know that these are anxious and fearful times for a lot of in our country, which makes the Church’s calling for peace and reconciliation all of the more pressing.

“I feel that we now have much, as a rustic, for which we may be proud; much for which we may be grateful; and far to sit up for, if we learn from each other, respect each other, and work together for our shared future.”

Around 60,000 attended Robinson’s march, concurrently a parallel pro-Palestine march. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said each marches had “proceeded largely without significant incident”, with only a number of dozen arrests. 

Some marchers carried wood crosses and chanted “Christ is king”. Christians were expected to be among the many crowds as a recent snap poll by Premier Christian News found that around 1 / 4 of UK Christians discover as nationalists or are sympathetic to nationalist ideas.

Robinson raised concerns concerning the plight of persecuted Nigerian Christians in his speech on the rally and told his supporters to get political: “Are you ready for the battle of Britain? 2029 we now have an election. We’re not asking anyone to exit and fight, but that is an important moment in our generation.

“If we don’t send a message in our next election, in case you don’t register to vote, in case you don’t become involved, in case you don’t turn into activists, we’re going to lose our country for ever.

“We must get political, we now have to become involved. I’m not going to inform you which of them political party it’s essential to join. We’re a cultural movement. I’m going to let you know that you may have to affix a political party.

“I don’t care if it’s Reform, if it’s Advance, or it’s Restore, or it’s the Conservative party. We must locally become involved in politics.”