In his speech at the Tate Modern art gallery in central London today, Sir Keir Starmer, the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, declared that ‘service is the precondition for hope.’ According to him, ‘Change begins now. And it feels good, I have to be honest. Four-and-a-half years of work changing the party. This is what it is for. A changed Labour party ready to serve our country. Ready to restore Britain to the service of working people. The Prime Minister agreed that a mandate like this comes with great responsibility. Our task is nothing less than renewing the ideas that hold this country together – national renewal. Whoever you are, wherever you started in life, if you work hard, if you play by the rules, this country should give you a fair chance to get on. It should always respect your contribution and we have to restore that. Along with that, we have to return politics to public service. Show that politics can be a force for good. Make no mistake that is the great test of politics in this era. The fight for trust is the battle that defines our age. It is why we have campaigned so hard to demonstrate that we are fit for public service.’

Sir Starmer rightly warned, “There is nothing preordained in politics. Election victories don’t fall from the sky. They’re hard won and hard fought for and this one could only be won by a changed Labour party. We can repair our public services because we changed the party. We have the chance to make work pay because we changed the party. We have the chance to deliver for working people, young people, vulnerable people, and the poorest in society because we changed the party. Country first, party second isn’t a slogan. It’s the guiding principle of everything we’ve done and must keep on doing. On the economy, national security, and protecting our borders, the British people had to look us in the eye and see that we could serve their interests and that work doesn’t stop now; it never stops. The changes we’ve made are permanent and irreversible, and we must keep going. We ran as a changed Labour party, and we will govern as a changed Labour party.’

Sir Starmer aptly promises no easy change. He said, “I don’t promise you it will be easy. Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. It’s hard work, patient work, determined work. And we will have to get moving immediately, but even when the going gets tough, and it will remember, tonight and always, what this is all about.”

God’s new chapter is here for the people, church, nation, and government. According to the Prime Minister, the mandate is ‘to relight the fire. That is the purpose of this party and of this government. We said we would end the chaos and we will … today we start the next chapter. begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal and start to rebuild our country. The spirituality to relight the fire of revival and renewal in the United Kingdom calls the church to go on our kneels in repentance because we cannot give what we do not have.

The Apostle Paul urges us in 1 Timothy 2:2 to “pray for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Let us pray for our new Prime Minister and the Government as they face a range of challenges over the next few months. [1]

Sovereign Lord, we ask that you bless and strengthen Sir Keir Starmer as he takes up the office of Prime Minister. We ask that you protect his family and give him the courage and wisdom he needs to navigate how best to lead our country in these turbulent times. Amen.

Almighty God, we pray that you might shield our Prime Minister from the stresses of public office and equip him to respond soundly to the many difficult decisions he must make regarding our economy, international relations and domestic unity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, we ask that Sir Starmer’s leadership would model integrity in politics. Would he be compassionate and attentive to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. We pray that the eyes of his heart would be opened to your will. In your name, Amen.

Father, we thank you for the freedoms we have to pray, worship, and participate in public life. We pray for good and healthy relationships to grow between churches, local MPs, and all Government departments. Would we begin to see increased collaboration, which seeks the common good, greater engagement, and integrity throughout all levels of Government? For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Lord Jesus, we pray for effective and gracious Christian presence and influence in political debate. Strengthen those you have placed in the corridors of power to wisely explain Biblical truth, allowing the truth about human flourishing to be attentively listened to and courageously acted upon. Amen.

[1] https://care.org.uk/news/2022/10/5-prayers-for-our-next-prime-minister