The Evangelical Alliance longs to see Christians engaging with their public representatives in a productive and encouraging way but we recognise that sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. We hope that this resource will help you to begin to build relationships with your public representatives and encourage you to pray for and support them as they represent you. You will find a choice of ways to get in touch with your public representatives and the most effective way to engage with them on matters that you care about.
The coronavirus pandemic has made us all very attentive to the latest news headlines, with politicians under an even closer microscope. Public representatives, like the rest of society, have been overstretched and dismayed by the gravity of the health, economic and social crisis. As Christians, churches and faith leaders, may we encourage our elected leaders and not just those we agree with. We want Christians to be known as ‘good news’ people in every sphere. Therefore, may we not take for granted the opportunity to become active citizens. May we engage with our political representatives in a way that fosters trust, encouragement and partnership.
The church has all the framework and infrastructure to be at the grassroots when it comes to rebuilding people’s lives and supporting our communities from every background. We have the heart to love and serve the broken and have unique relational networks.
We want these connections and relationships to make a difference to our communities, for the love of Jesus to be made known. Similarly, God commands us to be active in serving and loving our public representatives. 1 Timothy 2:1 – 4 says: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
