|
National Prayer Breakfast |
|
Written by Paul Bickley, National Prayer Breakfast Coordinator
|
|
Wednesday, 07 November 2007 |
In 1 Timothy 2, St Paul encourages his mentee to offer prayers and intercessions for "kings and those in authority". Indeed, prayer is the only form of 'political' activity directly enjoined by the New Testament. Even in times of persecution, this mandate for prayer has been a non-negotiable for the Church. In his Apology, Justin Martyr wrote, "We worship only God, but in other things we will gladly serve you, acknowledge you as kings and rulers of men, and praying that, with your kingly power, you may be found to possess also sound judgment". How do we honour this tradition? One way is through the National Prayer Breakfast.
On Tuesday 19 June, 300 people gathered in Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament for the National Prayer Breakfast. Chaired by Jim Dobbin, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton and staunch Catholic, the event was addressed by Friar Timothy Radcliffe, formerly Master of the Dominican Order and winner of the 2007 Michael Ramsey Prize for Theological Writing.
The Breakfast has been running in Westminster for over 25 years. It attracts a large number of Members of the House of Commons and Lords (this year, around 90) and acts as a marker, symbolising the commitment of the Christians to prayer for our national life. The Breakfast is only a small part of the proceedings, which include a large service in St Margaret's Church, receptions and seminars on the theme. Recent developments include Steve Webb's 2005 launch of the Constituency Prayer Group Initiative, under which local groups can gather to pray for Members of Parliament and other local leaders.
Justin Martyr would be dead chuffed.
If you would like to know more about the National Prayer Breakfast, or would like to read Fr Timothy Radcliffe's address, log on to www.nationalprayerbreakfast.org.uk.
For information on the Constituency Prayer Groups, see www.christiansinparliament.org.uk/breakfast/constituencyprayer/tabid/140/Default.aspx
|
