Displaying items by tag: general election

Taoiseach Simon Harris has officially confirmed that Ireland will hold a general election on Friday 29 November, ending months of speculation. Following a European Council meeting in Budapest, Harris plans to return to Dublin to initiate the three-week campaign, expected to focus on critical issues such as housing, healthcare, the cost of living, immigration, and climate. The election announcement follows pressure on Harris from within his own party, Fine Gael, particularly after his personal approval rating surged to 55% in September. It comes on the heels of this summer’s local and European elections, where Sinn Féin underperformed, prompting the party to adjust its strategy and field around 70 candidates. The Taoiseach’s decision for an early election was also influenced by support from coalition leaders.

Rishi Sunak surprised many by calling for a UK general election on 4 July, aiming to secure a fifth term for the Conservatives. Parliament will be suspended shortly, marking the start of a five-week campaign. Sunak's decision, earlier than anticipated, came after April's inflation fell to 2.3%, providing him with a narrative of successful governance. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer seized the moment, positioning the election as a chance for change from Tory 'chaos.' SNP leader John Swinney and other opposition figures echoed similar sentiments. This election, the first since 2015 not requiring parliamentary approval for the date, will feature new constituency boundaries and require voter ID. It follows a period of political turbulence, marked by scandals, cabinet resignations, Boris Johnson's resignation, and Liz Truss’s brief tenure.

Shifting focus from his usual target, the Tories, Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, has coined the term 'Starmergeddon ' to describe the potential consequences of a Labour election victory. Despite ongoing speculation, he remained noncommittal about Nigel Farage's role in Reform's campaign. Labour, preparing for a possible spring election, faces Tice's accusations of betraying working-class voters, particularly on immigration. Tice outlined Reform's policies, including raising the income tax threshold and reducing fuel duty, while advocating for stricter immigration controls. In a strategic shift from 2019, when the party, then known as the Brexit Party, stood down in several Tory seats, Tice said it would contest every seat in England, Scotland, and Wales. He dismissed the concern that Reform would split the conservative vote, focusing instead on challenging the current political landscape. Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson expressed concern over Reform's potential impact, suggesting Farage's leadership could be crucial for their success. Tice, however, remains unfazed.

Every election is important and we believe that this next government will be strategic in this season when we are praying and working towards a time of harvest. Across the United Kingdom we are seeing significant numbers of people coming to Christ, a growing unity between churches and organisations and people of other faiths are having visions of Jesus. But we live in nations where there is growing uncertainty, with significant rises in mental health issues, homelessness, addiction, poverty and broken families.

WHY PRAY
Every election is contested spiritually and this is no exception, Satan will be resolute in resisting God’s sovereign purpose. It is time to pray that our extraordinary, merciful Father will touch our nations. Paul reminds us that it is God’s plan to have the right people in authority to enable people to be saved (1Timothy 2:1-4).

• Let’s seek the Lord and His word afresh, asking the Holy Spirit to replace fear with His peace. Let us come and worship, lifting up the name of Jesus and humbly ask for His mercy and blessing on the election debate, coverage and our personal voting decision.
• Let’s ask for His wisdom to engage with the issues He places on our hearts, let’s expect Him to lead and guide us.

PRAYER POINTS
MAY 25: PROTECTION - Over the whole General Election campaign and from terrorist and cyber -attacks; Wisdom for police and security forces.

MAY 26: PRAYER – For many Christians to respond to the invitation to pray during Thy Kingdom to Come.

MAY 27: PURPOSES OF GOD – So that the Government of His choice is elected to allow the Kingdom of God to advance.

MAY 28: MEDIA – Insight for all working in the media to expose false news and manipulation.

MAY 29: CAMPAIGN – For the debate and discussion to give a clear focus on what is on God’s heart locally and nationally.

MAY 30: LEADERS OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES – For discernment in campaigning; for Theresa May in her leadership between parliaments.

MAY 31: UNITY OF PURPOSE – Even when we disagree on policies in families, churches, communities and between the UK nations.

JUNE 1: RELEASE OF YOUNG PEOPLE - To engage in the debate and to realise their vote counts.

JUNE 2: PROTECTION – For all involved in election campaigning, Lord have mercy on our UK nations.
JUNE 3: LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTION MEETINGS – For clarity to come out of any confusion and for truth to be heard.

JUNE 4: COME HOLY SPIRIT – Blow through Your church, blow through our nations – may Jesus be revealed.

JUNE 5: GUIDE AND GUARD - the steps to ‘Brexit’; bring healing and reconciliation across our nations and across Europe.

JUNE 6: CANDIDATES – For the MP’s elected whom God has chosen, equipped and anointed.

JUNE 7: DISCERNMENT- In voting for just and righteous parliament in Westminster.

JUNE 8: YOUR KINGDOM COME - In and through this General Election.

JUNE 9: WISDOM - As a new government is put in place.

JUNE 10: PEACE - On our streets, across all UK nations.

JUNE 11: BLESS EVERY CHURCH - May the love of Jesus be seen and heard today.

JUNE 12: HOLY SPIRIT COME - Awaken our land, may we see Your glory flow from here to the nations.

RESOURCES

engaGE17 – CARE website and prayer points - engage17.org.uk
What kind of society? Evangelical Alliance – election.eauk.org
Christians in Politics – christiansinpolitics.org.uk

 Download a PDF of this guide

DECLARATION

We declare in the season ahead a legacy of Godly government will be re- established in our Nation.

According to Your word in Psalm 145:4” One generation shall declare Your works to another”, we decree and declare a fresh awareness to Your young people of the Godly heritage within our political system, of the Biblical foundations under it and of the principles released through it.

We decree and declare young people in our Nation, towns, churches and families will have an understanding of the times and seasons, and of the power of choice. We speak maturity to them in their political awareness, engagement and voting.

In the Name of Jesus, we declare an increased rising up of those who will pioneer and stand for Godly principles and for the good of the people, and we speak favour and divine revelatory wisdom to those already positioned.

N B Find out the candidates for the coming election within your own constituency, pray for a clarity of their values and purpose to emerge, and that the person God has called for this Parliamentary term to become clear..

Source: Passion for the Nation

It is easy to be a little underwhelmed by this General Election. It is our third big vote and national debate in three years with even more political activity if you live in Northern Ireland or Scotland. We had Brenda from Bristol going nationwide with her complaint - “Oh no not another one." Early days have seen repetitive slogans, and it seems people are finding it hard to engage.

But we believe this is a key step in God’s plans for our nations. We are expecting a great move of God. Therefore, this next government will enable a time of harvest. The election comes four days after Pentecost - that great celebration of God’s spirit breaking out of the upper room and into the streets of Jerusalem. Paul makes the link in those well-known verses from I Timothy 2 - "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 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.” God’s plan is that we have the right people in authority to enable people to be saved.

We need to pray - for God’s sovereign will and purpose. God is placing an opportunity in our hands to bless our nations. Please encourage your friends and your church to pray. Just as the political parties stir up people to canvas and promote their issues we should be stirring people to pray. We include some prayer pointers below and will release more themes and links to resources and key websites in these coming weeks. Every election is contested spiritually and this is no exception, Satan will be resolute in resisting God’s sovereign purpose. God calls us to partner with him to bless where we live locally and bless our nations.

Lord may we have a debate and discussion in our nations and through the media that reflects what is on Your heart.

Pray for:

• All those elected in the local and Mayoral elections today (4th May) that they will be granted wisdom and clear direction for the way ahead.
• Every political party as they select General Election candidates before the deadline of 11 May. Praying for candidates of good character.
• Christians standing for election, to know your peace, and walk close with you in this busy and demanding time.
• God’s mercy and protection on our nations. Keep us safe from terrorist attack and from the fear terrorists bring. Bless our police and intelligence services, give them divine understanding.
• Unity within the Body of Christ. Help us to disagree with respect, Your heart is for unity - let Your church be filled with your grace and compassion.

In His mercy God has called us to pray - “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” in homes, communities, workplaces, churches and cathedrals across our nations before this election. It is God’s heart for our nations - your will be done. Amen