THE senior minister of Okehampton’s Inspiration Church, Rev Mike Davies, has just graduated in a course studying Leadership in Public Life.

The course involved meeting many senior politicians, diplomats and ambassadors. Rev Davies graduated last month in Geneva, Switzerland.

Since completing the course Rev Davies has set up an organisation to encourage Christians to pray for politicians. The Facebook page already has over 230 members and this is increasing almost daily.

Rev Davies said: ‘On meeting several senior politicians I was amazed at how much negative words and criticism they receive. The Bible encourages Christians to pray for those in authority. With a tendency for people to speak and write negatively to, and about, politicians, it cannot be helpful.’

The organisation ‘Praying for Politicians – UK’ can be found on Facebook. Each day an inspirational quotation on prayer is provided, supported with a Bible verse. A list of five politicians is then provided as a prayer focus for the day.

These politicians are either from the House of Commons, House of Lords, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, Northern Ireland Assembly or the UK members of the European Union. Each politician is then written to advising that they and their families have been prayed for.

Rev Davies said: ‘Everything we say, or write, has the potential to either build or destroy. Our words whether be positive or negative can have an impact. We look to provide words of encouragement and support through prayer.

‘Most of us will have experienced the negative power of words. Imagine receiving them every day?’

Rev Davies is hoping that the number of those providing daily prayer for politicians will continue to grow. Mike is also encouraging churches to pray for their local Members of Parliament and for their local councillors.

Further information can be found by emailing: [email protected]