A Prayer for our country

Gracious God,

We pray for the welfare of our cities and those involved in making our communities places in which all people can flourish.

We pray for those who have been victims in the recent riots, those who have lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods, and those who have been made to live in fear. May the goodness in people in adversity bring comfort and hope for the future.

We pray for the police and all those in frontline services who have faced violence and abuse. Grant them courage, wisdom and discipline in their actions and the support of the wider community.

We pray for local and national politicians faced with rebuilding confidence and formulating policies which will build good community relations. Give them wisdom, understanding and a deep sense of social justice.

We pray for all those who are instigating and perpetrating violence, especially young people. Help us to listen to the voice of genuine protest and the sense of hopelessness. We pray that those whose motivation is anarchy, chaos and destruction will be thwarted and new ways found to meet the concerns of those who feel they have no voice other than violence.

You have taught us to pray “Your kingdom come”. We pray for signs of that coming kingdom in the midst of violence and strife. May all people of faith and goodwill work together to discover that their welfare is bound up with the welfare of our cities.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen


We are one of 13 Synods of the URC throughout the United Kingdom and the British Isles and are made up of some 90 churches across Merseyside, the Wirral, Cheshire, West Lancashire and the Isle of Man.  We are part of the branch of Christianity known as ‘reformed’ and comprise churches that were formerly Presbyterian, Congregational and Churches of Christ.

Our churches are served by 30 stipendiary ministers, a number of non-stipendiary ministers, and each church is led by a number of ordained elders.  Over 20% of our churches are in ecumenical partnerships with the Methodist, Baptist and Anglican churches.

The Synod staff team are in place to serve, support and enable the local churches to engage in local mission and outreach with the gospel of God’s love in Christ as effectively as possible.  As well as office staff we have a Training Officer, a Mission Development Officer and a Children and Youth Officer.