Praying in Parliament

The Prime Minister was among a bumper crop of MPs attending this year’s Parliamentary Breakfast on 27 June, alongside representatives from the Christian community. 

More than 700 parliamentarians - including a record 180-plus MPs - and Christian leaders met together at Westminster Hall for the annual recognition of Christianity’s contribution to UK life.

Among many evangelical Christians who attended were Gavin Calver of Evangelical Alliance UK and a team from CARE. CARE’s head of church engagement in England, Peter Killingley, was in conversation with Rishi Sunak after the breakfast. 

He said: ‘I had the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister and tell him a little about CARE's work and mission. I knew him a little because we went to school together and to reconnect after some years was incredible. 

‘The fact the PM came to the Prayer Breakfast shows the value placed on the event; and to look round and see church leaders interacting with MPs and cabinet ministers on the day was really encouraging. Let’s pray that conversations bear fruit.’

Amy Orr-Ewing, lecturer and theologian, spoke on The Power of Forgiveness In Public Life; and the fact that redemption and forgiveness is possible in 21st century Britain.

At the close of the event, Gary Streeter, chair of Christians in Parliament (the All-Party Parliamentary Group that organised the event) interviewed Tim Farron MP, an evangelical Christian and former Liberal Democrat leader. 

‘Amy’s talk was absolutely glorious’, he said. ‘The idea that forgiveness is not free, it is not cheap, it is not cost free but it is possible because Christ died in our place. Our craving, our demand for justice is a natural one that God’s given us, and yet how can we be at peace with God?  Well, Christ answers both those questions.’