In July 2024, our Thirst session looked ahead to the General Election. We wanted to make sure that as a church, God was at the centre of all our thoughts with regards to some key political issues. We started our session by watching this message from Rev Rana Khan.
Our church family listed healthcare, education, care for the elderly and our nation’s Christian identity as some of the issues most on their mind when it comes to voting. So, we spent time talking through these issues with bible in hand, to seek reassurance from God that He is in ultimate control.
“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.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV
Other bible readings that we found useful in reminding ourselves of God’s sovereignty were:
Titus 3:1-5, Romans 13:1-5, Romans 11:33-36 and Psalm 125.
For each issue we sought to confirm that they were things God was also concerned about and then we discussed our own views, looking at positives within each issue and concerns that we have. We prayed on each subject to thank God for His provision, but also to ask for His guiding hand to lead whoever is in government along the right path.
HEALTHCARE
Does this concern God? According to Matthew 9:1-35 the answer is YES!
Things we felt were good about Healthcare in the UK:
Free access to all / Access to some world specialists in many medical conditions / dedicated staff
Things that were of a concern to us:
Waiting times / potential privatisation / recruitment and retention of staff / access to dental care
EDUCATION
Does this concern God? According to Proverbs 23:12 the answer is YES!
Things we felt were good about Education in the UK:
Free access to all children / lifetime access to learning / apprenticeship schemes / dedicated teaching staff
Things that were of a concern to us:
Student debt / ill-discipline at home causing problems in education settings / recruitment / out-dated curriculum / lack of life-skill teaching / class sizes / privately-educated people who are making decisions in government cannot relate to state education
CARE FOR THE ELDERLY
Does this concern God? According to Isaiah 46:3-4 the answer is YES!
Things we felt were good about being elderly in the UK:
Elderly well looked after / they have great life experience to share / elderly in our church family are kept young at heart by those around them
Things that were of a concern to us:
Future provision for the current younger generation / social isolation amongst many elderly people / geographical spread leading to lack of extended family living close to elderly relatives / lack of cross-generational respect
OUR NATION’S CHRISTIAN IDENTITY
Does this concern God? According to Matthew 28:16-20 the answer is YES!
Things we felt were good about our nation’s Christian identity:
Our fundamental laws are based on the 10 Commandments / we still have a freedom to express our faith / Christian festivals still respected / our children have access to local Christian schools
Things that were of a concern to us:
Eroding of Christian identity & freedoms in other Western countries such as Canada and USA / pressure on church to conform to popular beliefs not rooted in biblical teaching / lack of hours in the week for our team of volunteers to do God’s work
Sutton Village Church 