During the General Election campaign period, the Church of England is inviting everyone to join them in praying for the nation and playing your part as citizens and voters. A Pray Your Part daily election reflection, which will be available for three weeks in the run up to the Election Day on the the 4 July 2024 is available as a booklet, in audio form for smart speakers, through social media and via email. Click here to sign up.
Chloe Axford, the Director of Communications and Engagement for Exeter Diocese is a former political journalist and broadcaster. She has recorded a short video showing practical ways churches can get involved in the election.
Speaking after the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced he is seeking a dissolution of Parliament ahead of an election on the 4th July, Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell urged people to set aside time amid the heat of the coming campaign to reflect and pray for our nation and our world.
They also issued a plea to everyone to put “good grace and a commitment to truth and integrity” at the heart of the campaign.
Archbishops Justin and Stephen said: “The coming General Election is a critical moment in the life of our nation, which will shape our future by electing those who will make decisions affecting generations to come.
“It is a time for us all – people of all faiths and of none - to ask important questions about what kind of country we want to be.
“We are facing epic challenges both in our country and our world: from questions of war and peace to poverty and injustice, and the very future of the Earth God has given us.
“Faced with such huge questions, our instinct as Christians is to turn to God in prayer and so we want to put prayer at the very heart of this campaign.
“We are therefore inviting everyone who is willing to dedicate the next few weeks as a time not just to think about the big questions, but to pray for our nation and our world. And we want to invite everyone to think about how we all can play our part both as voters and, more broadly, as citizens.
“We would add a plea that no matter how big the issues at stake over the next few weeks, this will be a time marked by respect for one another, for good grace and a commitment to truth and integrity.
“It is our prayer that, even in the heat of the debate, we will treat each other with respect and kindness.
“And we give thanks for the dedication of all who stand for public office in service of our communities – often at great personal cost - and those who support the process.”