TOMORROW’S SUNDAY

On Tuesday there will be a landmark vote in Parliament concerning the Withdrawal Bill from the European Union.

You may now be heartily fed up with the “B” word, but like it or hate it, significant things are happening in our country.

So what can we do? St Paul is very clear – we should pray.

He writes to Timothy and says: “I urge that supplications, prayers intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for Kings and all those who are in high positions.” I Timothy 2.1-2.

Pray for our politicians of all parties as they come to vote on Tuesday.

But what to pray that is the question? I confess I have been struggling with this lately.

I am one of those who does not want to leave the EU and believes deeply that it is all our interests to stay. Of course I know that many disagree with that position not least in this city. So what do we pray? I have been praying for God’s wisdom to be at the heart of these discussions and that a real desire for the common good of our nation and all people to be at the heart of any decision that is made.

Of course the struggle I have is that I believe the common good lies not in leaving but remaining.

However, I deeply want to see the future shot through with hope that God can bring about the healing of our divided and angry nation whatever the result and the aftermath of Tuesday’s vote.

In order for this to happen we have to learn how to disagree well and consider hard what we say and how we say it when we talk about those who hold opposing views.

There has been too much shouting and not enough listening. So where am I left. Well in the end I have to pray by putting this situation in the hands of God recognizing that I do not have the words that will lead to peace. But that he does, and I must listen and wait.