Open letter to the PM regarding national prayer

19th April 2020

Peter Gray-Read shares with us a letter he constructed to send to the Prime Minister regarding engaging the nation in prayer.  Photo above shows Peter on the day he tried to deliver this letter to 10 Downing Street, whilst in London helping with vulnerable relative 89 year old Mother in Law

Dear Prime Minister
 
I would like to say how thankful we are for your restoration to health following the Covid-19 episode.  It was indeed an answer to prayer – and I don’t mean that glibly. Indeed many Christians were fasting and praying for your deliverance in accordance with scripture and genuine concern
 
Of course skilled and caring NHS staff was a blessing but it is essential to convey the point that it was Jesus who mercifully spared your life – for your salvation and your family and the good of the country
 
Why the difference in National statistics?
 
May I make the point that the Bible teaches the principle:  first the spiritual then the physical.  Ten times in Genesis 1 it is recorded “And God said…” e.g. “And God said [Spiritual] let the waters under heaven be gathered together in one place, and let dry land appear: and it was so.” [physical] Genesis 1:9
"And God said, let us make man in our image after our likeness…" v26
 
So, we have to ask ‘What was the spiritual precursor to the physical manifestations of the Covid-19 pandemic?’ And ‘Why did it affect some countries more than others?’  What were the pre-existing (national) conditions?
 
If we look at the Old Testament record of ‘judgements’ there was always an underlying spiritual cause.  In case of the Noahic flood it is recorded “…the imagination of peoples hearts was evil continually”.  The same for the Tower of Babel and especially in the exile/diaspora of the Jews to Babylon in Jeremiah 16:12 where – after a list of six sins of ‘the fathers’  it is recorded “And ye have done worse than your fathers…”
 
I’m not saying that God initiated the pandemic – but he has allowed it and brought a sudden stop to a lot of the world’s business and human interaction. SO we have to heed the warning… we have all had reason to reflect
 
What is the solution?
 
If Covid-19 had a spiritual ‘first cause’ it must have a spiritual solution

Let us learn from the example of other countries where there has been minimal impact
 
In Jamaica for instance there has been 163 recorded cases and 5 recorded deaths.  In South Africa 2783 cases and 50 deaths.   In both these Christian countries the national leaders have lead the country in prayer and intercession repenting of the nation’s sins and asking forgiveness – the results are clear to see
 
South Korea is a very prayerful population cases 10653 and 232 deaths. Of course South Korea implemented very good practice but it is God who gives wisdom and deliverance
 
Yes, I am sure these leaders had personal faith in Jesus Christ and a Christian background.  But God is no respecter of persons and hears all who call upon Him.  I am not saying you must become an instant believer – of course that would be the best that could happen – but it is also very important for a national leader to call for the Church and country to pray and fast for God’s hand to intervene and spare the land as happened seven times in WWII, e.g. 26th May 1940 on eve of Dunkirk
 
It is the message of the Bible and our embracing of it that made Great Britain ‘Great’ - Psalm 75:7
 
But God is the Judge;
He puts down one and lifts up another
 
Proverbs 14:34 "righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people"
 
A lot has been passed in Parliament that is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. It is impossible to rectify overnight but we need to repent nationally and start heading in the right direction
 
Lastly, it may be helpful to reflect on:  
Why do we put so much value on a human life?
 
If you ‘follow the science…’ as specified in the National Curriculum and most school science courses.  We are just a product of chance, random mutations and natural selection.  Disease killing off the unfit is just natural!
 
Or is the real story that we are made in the image and likeness of God and God sees us as so precious that He was prepared for His ‘beloved Son’ to suffer the consequences of our sin and rebellion and die on the Cross in our place that we could be redeemed and saved.  He rose again as we have been celebrating to show that death has been defeated
 
Yes, the NHS shows love but 1John 4:19 says “We love because He first loved us”
 
We must acknowledge our first offering of gratitude has to be to our Creator and Redeemer.  There are many Christian believers among the medical profession at all levels who seek God daily for strength wisdom and grace to serve us.  Let us learn from them and Give to God the Glory due to His name
 
This attitude of seeking first His Kingdom and righteousness will also be critical in any successful exit strategy
 
James 5:16
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"

So, I appeal to you to call and lead a National Day of Prayer for deliverance from Covid-19 and for national revival – or support a Church leader in making the call

Thank you on behalf of the Church and nation
 
Peter Gray-Read MSc BSc PGCE  
Member of Emmanuel Church and co-Elder in Fire House Great Yarmouth
Email: atp2gr@yahoo.co.uk 

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