London Riots

I’m sure you’ve all seen the news of the London riots and the devastation that is being caused by this lawlessness. Whatever the reason was that kicked these riots off; rioting is not and never will be an appropriate response!

What is sweeping through London and parts of England now is anarchy, pure and simple. Far from being a solution to the issues that have been affecting the country, ranging from the economy to budget cuts to issues concerning the Police themselves, all this is doing is exacerbating the problem.

The damage to property is creating a new vacuum for council money to disappear into as they attempt to repair it. The recovery is put at risk as businesses of all sizes weigh up the cost of stolen goods and damage to premises and if anyone thinks this will improve the relationship between the Police and the public, think again. All this will do is highlight the need for tougher sentences, better policing and more powers for police officers….it may even reopen the discussion about Police carrying weapons.

The Good News

Despite everything that is going on, God is in control and we must remember this and cling to the cross if we are to avoid living fear-filled lives. At work today, we have been told to refund customers for failed deliveries using a specific reason – Act of God! These riots are anything but an Act of God. However, God is at work throughout all of this. Every time a community comes together to help each other, every time an act of good is done like someone giving up their free time to help clean up the streets, big or small, that is God at work.

This year has been one full of bad news, natural disasters, financial woes and more. However, what hasn’t been hitting the news so much is all the good that has come out of or existed in amongst these situations. Strangers have become friends and people from around the world have united to fight for a better world. This is not a hopeless situation and lives, houses, businesses and relationships can and will be rebuilt.  

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God says “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. This is a promise that if we seek him, he will answer. Our land, needs healing so please join Storming the Nations, Christians up and down the country who are praying for:

An end to this needless violence, which is devastating more lives each day.

The Police force who are on the front line of this and trying to respond in the best way possible. Pray for their protection, that they will be able to bring this under control again and that justice will be done.

The other emergency services, who are trying to respond to the damage being done. Pray they will be able to respond promptly, effectively and that the damage to lives, livelihoods and property will be minimal.

The Government as Parliament reconvenes to respond to this. Pray they will be wise in the decisions they take to bring this under control and that there will be unity across all parties in the face of this.

Finally, if you can, please support your communities in whatever way possible. Whether it is something big like assisting with the clean-up, or something seemingly small like providing essentials for those who have lost everything, every act of service speaks louder and stronger than all this hate and violence.

Thank you