The Bible gives us lots of reasons why we should pray, but passages telling us exactly what to pray for are surprisingly few and far between. So when Timothy writes “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority” [1 Tim 2:1-2], we probably need to take it seriously!

24-7 Prayer in the UK has been involved in Parliament since 2004. During that time, we have felt a growing sense that for us, this is one of our ‘mission fields’, an area where we are called to go out and get involved both prayerfully and practically.

So what does that mean in practise?

• We pray with Christians in Parliament every Thursday lunchtime in Portcullis House (the new parliamentary building opposite Big Ben). This mostly involves Christians who work inside the parliamentary estate (support staff, researchers, interns, etc) and is all about supporting each other to be a witness in the jobs that they do.
• We help to organise the annual Week of Prayer for Parliament and Government. 24-7 Prayer has organised prayer walks around Westminster and Whitehall, provided prayer resources to churches all across the country, and led a worship service inside the Houses of Parliament itself. We’ve prayed with others in countless offices and chambers. We have even prayed up inside Big Ben, beside the bell and behind the clock faces!
• We support Christian political organisations who want to grow and develop in prayer. These have included The Christian Socialist Movement, the Conservative Christian Fellowship, the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum, and various churches and prayer groups who want to pray into this area.
• We are partners in a project called [Susa] (launching late 2009), which is all about encouraging and equipping Christians to get more extensively and effectively involved in public life, right across the political spectrum and from local to national level.

Can religion and politics mix?

God cares about just and righteous government, and calls his people to be ‘salt and light’ in this area. As South African anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu put it: “When people tell me that the Bible has nothing to do with politics, I ask them, ‘Which Bible are you talking about?’.”

We do know that Christian involvement in politics can be controversial, so we have adopted a few principles to help guide us:
• We work with Christians from across the political spectrum, regardless of their party or church background.
• We try to pray ‘for’ things, not ‘against’ things. Jesus commands us to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” [Matt 5:44], and we reckon that this applies especially in the world of politics!
• As 24-7 Prayer in the UK, we normally avoid taking positions on party political issues (although we frequently support Christians who are themselves called to campaign on specific policies and legislation).

Who are the 24-7 political posse?

Phil Togwell heads up 24-7 Prayer in the UK and is a regular participant in prayer for parliament, the Week of Prayer, and other events that 24-7 gets involved in.

Phil Anderson, a leader of the Stanford Boiler Room community, heads up 24-7’s political engagement work. Phil is the main project manager for Susa, and also works across the road as a consultant in the Foreign Office which means that he is virtually full time in Westminster and Whitehall.

Dave Landrum is Senior Parliamentary Officer for Bible Society and a great friend of 24-7. Dave is based permanently in Parliament, where he co-ordinates Christians in Parliament, the prayer week, and knows virtually everyone from Lords and MPs to catering staff and the Serjeant-at-arms!

As well as these there are a whole network of people working in Parliament, the Civil Service, Christian ministries and campaigning organisations, and churches with a heart to pray for politics and government.

How can I get involved?

God is calling more and more people to get involved as ‘salt and light’ in politics and government. Maybe you are one of them! You could consider:
• Making politics and government a focus of your prayer room, week of prayer, or church service. We have some free resources available which can help you.
• Coming along to a prayer event inside parliament. Praying right in the heart of government can be a really inspiring and challenging experience! Contact [phil.anderson@24-7prayer.com] for more info.
• Joining a campaigning group, becoming a party member, standing as a local councillor, or even becoming an MP. We need Christians to be more deeply involved in all of these areas. Contact [parliamentandgovernment@24-7prayer.com] and we’ll link you up with someone who can help you.