CHRISTIAN CONCERN-Call to prayer for nation in storm and flood:

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali

Storms hit the South West of England

An urgent call to prayer in Churches and homes across Britain has been made by Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali ahead of extreme weather warnings for the coming weekend.

“I am calling on our churches and Christian people to pray for our nation at this time of crisis and to ask God for protection for those most exposed to danger and destruction from severe flooding, torrential rain and high winds which have left great devastation in their wake, particularly in the west of England, Wales and coastal areas of the United Kingdom,” says the Bishop.

He asks for prayer in particular for:

• Those bereaved, injured and turned out of their homes
• People whose businesses have been damaged
• Those whose job it is to protect the vulnerable – the army, police, fire service, ambulance crews, utility workers and public authorities 

“We must ask God for protection from the menace of further storms forecast for this weekend;  for protection from disease for people in the front line of devastating weather conditions; and for protection for our livestock, crops and the environment in general.  We must ask God to forgive us if we have in any way mistreated or neglected the land, the waterways, the environment generally and the common good," he said.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for the flood-stricken south-west of England, for London, the south-east and Wales, predicting torrential rain and winds of up to 80mph tonight (Friday 7 February)and tomorrow, which could cause another wave of power cuts and topple trees as well as causing inland and coastal flooding.

Bishop Michael urges churches to make the casualties of extreme weather the focus of their prayers this weekend.