United Kingdom
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Europe
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 244,110 sq km
Two main islands: Britain and the northeast of Ireland. A union of four countries: England 103,400 sq km, Scotland 78,800 sq km, Wales 20,800 sq km, Northern Ireland 14,100 sq km. Also three small autonomous states that are dependencies of the British Crown: Isle of Man 588 sq km (in the Irish Sea); Channel Islands 194 sq km (Guernsey, Jersey).
Population: 62,129,818 Annual Growth: 0.54%
Capital: London
Urbanites: 90.1%
HDI Rank: 21 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Official language: English; in Wales both English and Welsh. English is the primary language of 400 million in the world, as well as the major language of international communication for over 1.4 billion Languages: 15 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian
| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 37,066,649 | 59.66 | -0.8 |
| Evangelicals | 5,490,130 | 8.8 | 0.0 |
Answer to Prayer
The UK’s contribution to global Christianity has been significant for centuries. From Wycliffe and Tyndale up to today – with the Alpha Course, 24-7prayer and a host of evangelical writers, theologians and worship leaders – the UK continues to offer blessing to the nations of the world. For an additional Answer to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
a) Foreign policy, which remains globally engaging. As a permanent UN Security Council member and head of the Commonwealth, and because of its special relationship with the USA, Britain’s involvement with the wider world remains extensive in both diplomatic and military contexts. Pray for this influence and power to be wielded for the sake of what is just and right, when needed and called for.
b) Integration with the EU remains a political hot potato. The loss of autonomy to the Byzantine politics of the EU sits poorly with many in the UK, but greater integration appears inevitable. Balancing maximum participation in the EU with maximum retention of autonomy seems an impossible compromise.
c) Devolution of the UK into federalism. This will grant greater autonomy to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but at significant financial and political costs. Britain and “Britishness” will suffer at the hands of buoyant national identities and agendas.
For an additional 16 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
Challenge for Prayer
Britain needs to discover a sense of purposeand direction for the 21st Century. Its sense of nationhood and core identity has increasingly diminished since the end of the British Empire and plays itself out in the context of:a) Foreign policy, which remains globally engaging. As a permanent UN Security Council member and head of the Commonwealth, and because of its special relationship with the USA, Britain’s involvement with the wider world remains extensive in both diplomatic and military contexts. Pray for this influence and power to be wielded for the sake of what is just and right, when needed and called for.
b) Integration with the EU remains a political hot potato. The loss of autonomy to the Byzantine politics of the EU sits poorly with many in the UK, but greater integration appears inevitable. Balancing maximum participation in the EU with maximum retention of autonomy seems an impossible compromise.
c) Devolution of the UK into federalism. This will grant greater autonomy to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but at significant financial and political costs. Britain and “Britishness” will suffer at the hands of buoyant national identities and agendas.
For an additional 16 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of United Kingdom.
