A Collect for the UK General Election

A General Election has been called in the UK for 4th July 2024.

To aid our prayers, we have come up with a new collect. Inspired by 1 Timothy 2, an American prayer from the last century, and the recent Coronation, it is ideal for use in churches over the next 6 weeks.

Please feel free to reproduce and pray it as much as you like, at this crucial time in our national life.

The collect reminds us that in a democracy such as ours, both politicians and voters have powers and privileges. We must exercise these, conscious that on judgment day the Lord will call on us to give an account for our stewardship. It prays for God’s guidance as each voter considers, we hope prayerfully, how to cast their vote, and reminds us that the purpose of government is to rule wisely and justly.

1 Timothy 2 tells us, we are to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviour who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.“

It is his glory, not that of our nation or party, which must be uttermost in our minds. And at a time when there is great pressure on those who confess the truth of the gospel, we pray that we may continue to have freedom to proclaim and profess it, alluding to a phrase in the King’s Coronation Oath.

We hope you will appreciate the collect and share it widely, that we might be united in prayer at an otherwise potentially divisive time.

Almighty God,
to whom each of us must give an account for all our powers and privileges:
Guide the people of the United Kingdom in the election of their members of Parliament;
that by wise laws and just administration,
peace may be fostered,
godliness encouraged,
and the true profession of the gospel enabled,
for the sake of Jesus our saviour and King,
to the glory of your holy name,
Amen.