Welcome to the start of October! We’re just a month into the start of the new term with signs of Autumn arriving, and yet we’ve already witnessed several significant events.
The passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II sent our nation into a time of deep mourning alongside heartfelt gratitude for a life well lived and a faithful disciple of Jesus. A new king has come to our throne pledging to follow in his mother’s footsteps, affirming his own personal faith.
In the midst of all this sadness and upheaval we’ve also seen one Prime Minister depart and a new one arrive, who in the space of less than two weeks has announced a whole host of new measures and policies that has sent our financial market into a spin.
We’re in the middle of a cost of living and energy crisis like we’ve not seen for decades and the ongoing war in Ukraine remains devastating and is having ramifications across the entire globe.
All this change, hardship and suffering is unsettling and if you follow the news regularly then there is very little to feel hopeful about. And yet as Christians, our hope cannot be in this world or in humankind. Our hope must be in the Lord – the maker of heaven and earth – who says to us:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43: 1-2
As followers of Jesus, we have a great hope. A hope that endures, that doesn’t disappoint or put us to shame (Romans 5:5), and because of this we can pray about all that is changing and unsettling in this world in the knowledge that our God hears us and is working for our good (Romans 8:28).
So, this month, let’s pray for our new King as he takes on His responsibilities as Head of State in 15 countries. Let’s pray that He would lead and govern with integrity, setting a good example and keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus.
Let’s pray for our Prime Minster and Cabinet, that they would have wisdom from God to guide this country well through this challenging time and that they would have hearts of compassion to help and provide for the vulnerable in our society.
