Archive for November, 2008

As Americans head to the polls today to place their vote, we thought it would be appropriate to post a prayer for politicians and all members of our government. Following the prayer is a reflection from the current president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide and former Member of Parliament, Jonathan Aitken.

A Prayer for Parliament

Almighty God, by whom alone kings reign and princes
decree justice, and from whom alone cometh all counsel,
wisdom, and understanding; We, thine unworthy servants,
here gathered together in thy Name, do most humbly
beseech thee to send down thy heavenly wisdom from above,
to direct and guide us in all our consultations;
and grant that, we having thy fear always before our eyes,
and laying aside all private interests, prejudices,
and partial affections, the result of all our counsels may be
the glory of thy blessed name, the maintenance of true
religion and justice, the safety, honor, and happiness of
the Queen, the public welfare, peace, and tranquillity of the
realm, and the uniting and knitting together of the hearts
of all persons and estates within the same, in true
Christian love and charity one toward another, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.

House of Commons prayer, circa 1661
#-2261. 1 copy. For personal use only. All rights reserved. GNPPDF
193
Supplication

REFLECTION

This prayer is little known outside the Palace of Westminster but is well known to MPs of my generation and many previous generations. It was said daily by the Speaker’s Chaplain before every sitting of the House of Commons from 1661 until 1997 when it was replaced (regrettably in my view) by a shorter and more modern version.

It may be my own familiarity with this prayer, which I heard innumerable times during my twenty-three years in Parliament, that gives its words such profound meaning for me. Yet there are powerful messages here to any institution that governs or legislates.

The opening sentence—“Almighty God, by whom alone kings reign and princes decree justice, and from whom alone cometh all counsel, wisdom, and understanding”—is a pointed theological reminder to politicians of the ultimate source of their power.

The instruction to “lay aside all private interests, prejudices, and partial affections” is a useful nudge in the direction of high standards in public life.

As for “the result of all our counsels,” i.e., the ideals of Parliament, this could hardly be a better list, ending up with the marvelous mission statement, “the uniting and knitting together of the hearts of all persons and estates . . . in true Christian love.”

In the divisive battle of party politics, the sentiments of this prayer are, alas, more visible in the breach than in the observance. But Parliamentary government at its best can be a great uplifter and unifier, particularly in times of crisis.

Praying for the ideals and values that underpin Parliamentary government is surely a worthwhile supplication. All whose vocation lies in the life of Parliamentary service may find this prayer, if they live by it, a source of encouragement to their integrity and a cause of reduction on their pressure.

Excerpt from Prayers for People Under Pressure by Jonathan Aitken. Crossway, 2008.