Rev’d Jonathan Aitken calls the nation to pray for Parliament
from Cranmer:
From The Times‘ ‘Credo‘ column yesterday, by the Rev’d Jonathan Aitken, reproduced here with permission:
After a seismic week of political and constitutional upheavals at Westminster, might this be a good moment to revive the historic tradition of praying for Parliament throughout the nation?
The tradition dates back nearly five centuries. It originated from Westminster in the 1550s with various forms of Parliamentary devotions being led by The Clerk or The Speaker of the House of Commons.
In our secular age, the practice has faded but still survives in both Houses of Parliament and in the Sunday services of many churches.
As we approach one of the most momentous votes in our history which is expected to “put Parliament in control”, the case for reviving widespread national prayers for the institution and its MPs looks strong.
For the probability is that the results from the division lobbies on Tuesday night will lead to a series of political, constitutional and electoral crises which will be resolved not by the Government, nor by any one political party, but by the collective will of the House of Commons.
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