Christians urged to unite in prayer against assisted suicide

The Christian Institute and other evangelical groups are calling on Christians to again unite in a national day of prayer against the assisted suicide Bills at Westminster and Holyrood.

On Wednesday 11 June, the Institute, Affinity, CARE, the Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Concern and the Evangelical Alliance are inviting Christians across the UK to pray about this life-and-death issue and also to encourage their church and friends to join too.

A final vote on Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is expected on 20 June to decide whether the Bill progresses to the Lords. And in Scotland, a committee of MSPs will consider Liam McArthur’s Bill after it passed Stage 1. Both dangerous Bills could be defeated if only a fraction of those who voted in favour switch sides.

‘Revival of compassion’

The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director Simon Calvert said: “We hope Christians across the UK will join us in prayer against dangerous attempts to legalise assisted suicide. No so-called safeguards can make these Bills ‘safe’.

“We must ask God to open more politicians’ eyes to the bitter reality that ‘assisted dying’ means helping suicidal people to kill themselves. We thank God that many are already opposing these Bills and we can pray that more will find the courage to speak out.

“Join us on 11 June to pray for a revival of compassion in our society, that we would prioritise caring for the sick in their darkest moments, instead of seeking to help them to end their lives.”

Chaotic debate

During the first day of Report Stage, the House of Commons did not hold a final vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill due to the number of amendments tabled, and several MPs raised concerns over insufficient time to consider them during the course of the rushed and chaotic debate.

Some MPs spoke out passionately against the Bill: