The following article first appeared in the July 30, 2013 edition of the AAC International Update. Sign up for this email here.

 By Bishop Bill Atwood

The Church has always been called to pray. We pray for individuals, situations, nations and the world. When a church is imbedded in the government of a nation, it is called an “established church.” That is the case with the Church of England. It rose from a time in which Christian life was indistinguishable from daily life. In every village there was a parish church and all the inhabitants of the village were also members of the parish.

Centuries ago, at the parish church, the role of the priest was to ring the bell (or see that it was rung) to signal that it was time to worship. In England, the church bell that seems nearest probably indicates the parish to which you would go. Because the people and the culture assumed that everyone in the village held Christian belief, mission work and evangelism were things that were accomplished by sending money to mission societies or by going into the mission field.

Over centuries, the world has shrunk and there has been a wave of emigration and immigration. Now English villages, towns, and cities, that were much more monolithic are now a “stew” of different cultures and world views. Mission, which for centuries defined international endeavor, should have turned to the needs on the domestic front, but much of the Church continued with the assumptions of Christendom, largely passive to local mission.

Because of the links across the British Commonwealth, immigration into England from many nations was easy and people took advantage of it, relocating in huge numbers. Rising oil prices meant that many people from oil rich nations could re-locate to England and purchase expensive property.

There was a rise in focus on material things. As materialism advanced, many people who were in the church became more and more nominal, or stopped attending all together.

At the same time, Islamic strategists moved to England (and other nations) in large number. Among them, having many children is encouraged with a view toward increasing the presence in the population, and a louder and louder voice.

The cultural mix has had a tremendous impact on England (and many other nations as well). While the Church remains established, it has not been functioning as the spiritual leader of the nation. In many instances, church leaders have been defensive. In some cases they have been complicit with the change in values from multiculturalism, materialism, and Paganism. Unwillingness to engage Islam in any meaningful way has meant that there has been a surge in the presence and influence of radical Islam as Muslim presence has grown. Now some reports suggest that  there are more practicing Muslims in England than practicing Christians. Currently, though, the press of secularism, materialism, and Paganism provide the loudest voices.

Bottom line: The world has dramatically changed. That is poignantly true of England as well.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Tim 2:1-4)

Recently, the Queen of England gave “Royal Assent” to same-sex marriage. I have heard many people describe that decision as a violation of her coronation oath as the head of the Church of England. While I disagree with the granting of Royal Assent in this case, I understand some things about it. The first is that there is huge pressure from the forces of secularism (and the other “isms”) at work. That pressure, even if immense, can be resisted when the people in the Church are doing our job of intercessory support.

ln Exodus 17 the Israelites were locked in battle with the Amalekites. As long as Moses held up his staff in his arms, the Israelites prevailed. Whenever his hands lowered, the tide of the battle would turn against Israel. His raised arms are a reminder of the need for prayer. His staff, a symbol of authority, was raised as well. I think of that as a symbol of Moses’ authority being lifted to God as well to be offered to Him for His will to be done. When his hands, arms, and staff were not being raised, it was as through God’s strength for the Israelites to win ebbed. To counteract this situation, Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a flat rock and they undertook to hold up his arms until the battle was won.

Many people have assumed that because Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is a believing Christian that she would always do what is right and best for the Gospel, the nation, and the church. As I have asked people how they have been praying for her, the answer has been not at all, or simply remembering her in the liturgy (if they were in a Commonwealth country using an Anglican liturgy).

I am deeply disappointed that Royal Assent was given for same-sex marriage. I do not believe that anyone-even those with same-sex attraction- are well served by the decision. God’s design is not to rob us of  joy, but to provide the best mechanism through which we can receive joy. When we depart from His revealed order for marriage, we may believe or expect that the departure will yield more fruit than Biblical order, but it will not. It cannot.

For the failure to adequately pray, I believe that we bear a good deal of the responsibility. Had we been praying for Her Majesty intentionally and in concert as Paul wrote in Timothy as a first priority, perhaps there would have been a different outcome. The same can be said for nations with Presidents, Prime Ministers, or even dictators. We should be praying for them earnestly, not perfunctorily.

And friends, let us not make the same mistake again.