God of truth and grace, help us to uphold people’s freedom to express and live out their faith and speak up with respect and in peace for they believe. May our society increasingly show genuine tolerance to all; in education, the workplace and other spheres.

Amen.

God of all compassion, please draw near today to Christians throughout the world who are persecuted because of their faith. Please prosper the work of diplomats, politicians and Christian organisations and campaigners who speak out on their behalf. Amen.

Please pray for anyone today who is facing a crisis of conscience concerning their personal lives, or an issue that will affect the wider community. Ask the Holy Spirit to give them clarity to find an honest, fair and loving course of action and grant them courage to follow it.

Pray about legal cases of Christians who have been penalised or even dismissed, because they could not act against their religious conscience at work. Ask God for wisdom to know when it is right to fight for such freedom, and how best to do so.

Remember those who go in Christ’s name to people-whether far off or to communities nearby-who are hostile and unreceptive to the gospel. Pray that they will not give up, even in the face of attack or rejection, but trust that God will work out His purposes through them.

Give thanks that Christian individuals and Church leaders are increasingly willing to engage with political developments in Westminster and their devolved assemblies and parliaments. Pray that the Church would speak boldly for righteousness, but always in a spirit of true tolerance and graciousness.