UK Religious Groups Unite for National Prayer Against Assisted Suicide

In response to ongoing debates surrounding assisted dying, religious groups throughout the UK have coordinated efforts for a unified National Day of Prayer Against Assisted Suicide scheduled for Tuesday, March 25.

Headed by The Christian Institute, this initiative is a collaborative effort involving Affinity, CARE, the Christian Medical Fellowship, and the Evangelical Alliance. The goal is to unite Christians in opposition to the contentious legislation concerning assisted dying.

The center of this prayer movement is the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, proposed by Liam McArthur, which is currently under scrutiny during the committee stage. The Stage 1 report deliberations are anticipated to begin in April.

Reports from The Christian Institute indicate that most oral evidence submitted to the committee has been against the proposed bill.

The Christian Institute’s Director, Ciarán Kelly, emphasized the urgency, stating, “Now is a key moment to pray for the failure of efforts to legalise assisted suicide for ill and vulnerable people.”

Individuals and church communities are being called upon to organize prayer meetings, both in-person and online, to raise awareness and participate in the event.

Participants are encouraged to direct their prayers towards specific themes:

Compassion – Praying for a societal shift towards prioritizing care for the sick rather than facilitating their deaths.

Clarity – Requesting that politicians and journalists understand the bill’s implications, particularly concerning vulnerable people and the integrity of doctor-patient relationships.

Courage – Expressing gratitude for politicians who already oppose the bill and asking for more voices to join them.

Co-operation – Praying for the success of Christian and non-Christian groups striving in Parliament, media, and at grassroots levels to prevent the passage of the legislation and appreciating their efforts.