A Tale of Two Cities 

Prayer signals that can make such a big difference

A startling thought crossed my mind after seeing the front pages of two newspapers within minutes of each other. Could Britain be saved from what seems its inevitable demise as a great nation?
 
New Life

I was sent an advance copy of the August edition of New Life, a popular evangelistic tabloid. Their page one headline, Gunpoint miracle, featured the miraculous story of British missionary Duncan Dyason, who survived three attempts on his life in Guatemala City. Years earlier, as a Blackpool youngster with little obvious hope for the future, he had seriously considered suicide but called on God in prayer – just in case he was there!
 
That prayer was answered and when a gangster later tried to shoot him in Guatemala, the gun jammed – on two separate occasions. Finally, when face to face with the gunman, Duncan asked if he could spare a ‘minute’ before killing him, during which he testified how God had changed his life. Remarkably, the gunman softened and promised to watch over him instead.

In prayer mode
 
I then walked down the road for my copy of the Daily Mail, whose front page featured a photo of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, apparently in prayer mode, with eyes closed and palms together, standing outside the doors of No 10 Downing Street in London.

Remarkably, the gunman softened and promised to watch over him instead.

I know he is a lapsed Catholic, so I suppose he could simply have been displaying reverential politeness after the manner of some Asian societies.
 
The accompanying headline – ‘Let’s pray he knows what he’s doing…’ – betrayed a gentle cynicism. But I also happen to know that fellow Christians are seriously praying that he will experience a real encounter with Jesus - and I’m joining them!
 
I also take some comfort from a talk Burnham gave last autumn at an event sponsored by the Bible Society. He explained how, while he was Health Secretary back in 2010, civil servants presented him with a list of suggested cuts to keep the NHS out of financial trouble.
 
At the top of their list was chaplaincy – offering patients spiritual help. He turned it down flat, recalling how when he visited his grandma in hospital, she was more interested in the services of the priest than those of the doctor.

Changing everything
 
Duncan Dyason’s amazing turnaround was entirely due to an encounter with the living God. And I’m absolutely convinced that if our new Prime Minister seriously seeks aid from above for his onerous task, it could change everything, both for him and our country.

Revolution may follow if we fail to tackle the root problems of our sick society.

After William Wilberforce turned to prayer, and to Jesus, back in the 18^th century, Britain was changed forever. As a member of Parliament and friend of Prime Minister William Pitt, he committed himself to the abolition of slavery and the ‘reformation of manners’, by which he meant an ordered and stable society following God’s laws and commandments.
 
Historians are agreed that Britain was saved from a French-style revolution through the efforts of Wilberforce and the accompanying Wesleyan revival. And a God-sent spiritual awakening is the only way today’s Britain can be saved from disaster.

Jesus encounter
 
Burnham seems set on making big changes, and there is more than devolution at stake. Revolution may follow if we fail to tackle the root problems of our sick society.
 
Because the God to whom Duncan Dyason prayed is real, he is living a life of great adventure for his Saviour, bringing joy, peace and purpose to poverty-stricken street kids in the process.
 
Genuine prayer to God from the former Manchester Mayor could bring about the biggest changes since the days of Wilberforce. So I’m praying that he has that Jesus encounter. Will you join me?