Pray for England

Over 400 years ago, crowds gathered in England’s Globe Theatre, where William Shakespeare’s plays came to life. Today, the nation’s historic sites and more than 4,000 castles draw in over 30 million tourists every year. Cities like London and Manchester have many famous universities and art museums, while out in the rolling meadows of the countryside sits Stonehenge, an ancient monument built around the same time as the Egyptian pyramids. England and the rest of the UK are ruled by King Charles III and the Prime Minister who heads the government of the UK. London is home to many of the world’s biggest banks and investment companies, which create a large portion of the nation’s income.

After World War II, Britain’s global power declined as the war weakened its economy and many colonies gained independence. Once plentiful oil and natural gas reserves are declining. In the aftermath of COVID-19 in 2020 and inflation in 2022 and 2023, household debt is still high, and poverty levels are increasing. With an aging population and not enough workers, hospitals are overcrowded, delaying care. England is a major destination for refugees and immigrants, and the British population has divided views on immigration’s effects on the social, religious, and political landscapes of the country. Some immigrants face discrimination in the form of harassment, barriers to employment, and denied housing access.

Ornate, historic cathedrals decorate England’s cities and countryside. The homeland of John Wesley, William Tyndale, and John Wycliffe, England was once a thriving center of Christian thought. Though more than 40 percent of England’s population identifies as Christian, the nation has become increasingly secular. Many do not identify as religious, and church attendance is declining among believers. The large immigrant population from India has contributed to a rise in Islam and Hinduism. A large number of people are atheist, and this highly educated and historically successful nation is in desperate need of a spiritual revival. Pray that England will find spiritual vibrancy and witness to their immigrant population with love.