The Riots show that the UK needs healing

In recent weeks, the UK has witnessed scenes of unrest and division that have left many of us troubled and searching for answers. Riots and protests, often born out of deep-seated frustration, have erupted, highlighting the fractures in our society. As Christians, we are called not to turn away from these realities, but to engage with them through prayer and action, striving to be peacemakers in a world desperately in need of healing.

Praying for Unity

First and foremost, we must turn to God in prayer. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:3 to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Unity is not something that comes naturally in a world filled with differing opinions, experiences, and backgrounds. It is a gift from God, and one that we must actively seek through prayer.

When we pray for unity, we are not merely asking for the absence of conflict. We are seeking the deeper peace that comes from reconciliation and understanding. We pray for the Holy Spirit to soften hearts, to open our eyes to the pain of others, and to give us the courage to love those who are different from us. We ask God to help us see the image of Christ in every person we encounter, recognizing that every individual is a beloved child of God.

As we pray, we must also listen—to God, to our neighbours, and to those whose voices have been silenced or ignored. Prayer is not just about speaking; it is about being still before God and allowing Him to shape our hearts and minds. It is in this quiet place that we can begin to understand the depth of division in our world and the role we can play in bringing healing.

Committing to Community Work

Prayer must lead to action. James 2:17 tells us that “faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” As we seek God’s guidance in prayer, we should also be asking how we can be His hands and feet in our communities. How can we be the bridge builders that our society so desperately needs?

Community work is one of the most tangible ways we can live out our faith. This can take many forms, from volunteering at a local food bank or shelter to mentoring young people, to organizing neighbourhood clean-ups. The specific actions we take will depend on the needs of our communities and the gifts God has given us. What is important is that we engage with the world around us, seeking to bring hope and healing wherever we go.

As we commit to community work, we must do so with a spirit of humility and love. It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have all the answers or that our way of doing things is best. But true bridge building requires us to listen as much as we speak, to serve rather than to be served, and to work alongside others, even those we may not always agree with.

In a time of division, we have a unique opportunity to be agents of God’s peace. By committing ourselves to prayer and community work, we can help to heal the wounds of our society and bring people together. Let us not be discouraged by the challenges before us, but instead, trust in the power of God to work through us as we seek to be bridge builders in a broken world. Together, through Christ, we can help to create a society where love, justice, and unity prevail.