A prayer for the new government

As a Christian nurse, I am intrigued to see how God might use the recently elected Government to help heal the UK’s National Health Services (NHS).

As Christian healthcare professionals, we need to avoid getting sucked into negative talk in our places of work, such as, ‘Oh, just another load of false promises’! In contrast, we should be fervently praying for the wisdom and hearts of our leaders. As they balance different priorities, we can pray that they will give the right priority to injecting resources into the health and social care system in due course that can bring notable change, thereby restoring hope, optimism and confidence to patients and their families and, of course, NHS personnel.

Governments can make a real impact on the health of our nation. It was through the vision of the Labour government (back in 1949), who (after the Beveridge report in 1942) implemented a health and welfare system to help all people regardless of wealth or status. Since then, the NHS has won many health victories, overcome many hardships and learned many, many lessons under different leaders – hallelujah! Where the NHS has impacted the national health for good, all glory ultimately belongs to God!

Whilst watching the General Election, I reread Romans 13 ‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established’. All governments, whatever their political colour, are God-appointed. And I believe that the present government has been chosen by God for a time such as this. However, just like any other leaders, kings, presidents, etc, this new government is full of broken people who are nothing without God’s spirit and power. We read in Zachariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.

God is used to dealing with flawed characters in leadership, and we repeatedly read examples of this in the Bible. One such example is King Saul, who ended up losing everything by being impatient and impulsive, relying on his own wisdom instead of seeking God’s (see 1 Samuel 14:15-48). This is why it is so important to ’let your requests be known to God…’. (Philippians 4:6)

Let us pray together:

Dear Lord, we pray for those in positions of power over decisions affecting the NHS’s future. Especially grant those in government wisdom as they make the big decisions about resources, priorities, and staffing in our healthcare systems across the British Isles. Lord, will you sustain our NHS to continue to provide healthcare for the sick and prevent disease through education and health promotion. We pray for resources to prolong healthy lives through research, training, dedication, and compassion. We ask for fair and considerate working conditions for all staff supporting the NHS to enable continuity of care and safeguard patients from birth until the end of life.

We pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Eileen Marston.  Adult Nurse, Oxford