Prayer power

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people... 1 Timothy 2.1

The passage of national responsibility carries on, in the wake of yesterday's news that Scotland's First Minister is to stand down. Expressions of appreciation were tempered by acknowledgments of failure. Nicola Sturgeon is a human being and deserves respect as such. Yet, as a political leader, she divided opinion and not just on the constitutional question. Recently it felt as if the politics of sex and gender had taken over the Holyrood asylum, as if making Scotland the most liberal country in the world was what really mattered.

Will regime change signal a change of direction? Time will tell. But now is the moment for Christians to pray for God's mercy on our land. May the new government devote itself to facilitating a society in which everyone is respected and the necessities of life are fairly distributed, where people are free to live faithfully and generously. Grant wisdom and integrity, courage and resilience to those who govern, equipping the rest of us to be loyal citizens and good neighbours - to those who live next door and to those who live on the other side of the world.

Save us from superficiality and remind us of the principles on which our nation was founded and so help us to be a source of inspiration within the family of nations. Scotland coalesced around the mission of the Gaels to spread the Good News of Jesus and unite the indigenous tribes. Rekindle the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ and our passion to shine it, wherever the darkness beckons...