CAPTION: The Rt. Rev'd Jackie Searle is the Acting Bishop of Exeter
Bishop Jackie’s General Election Encouragement to Vote for Good of All
I am hugely proud to live in a democracy, and we need to remind ourselves every now and then of the privilege that is, when we think about places around the world where people don’t have a free and open vote on who is in government. Our democracy is something that we should be really proud of.
Vote
I would encourage everybody who has a vote to take part in the election. Personally, I always make sure that I vote because I know that in the past, women weren’t allowed to vote and that historically women and others campaigned so that those who had been excluded were allowed to cast their ballot. I take that legacy very seriously. This week, I encourage all of us to play our part and to use that really precious vote we have.
Pray
I also encourage you to pray. We are asked to pray in the Bible for those who are in government: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2.) Both government and opposition have an important part to play in how our democracy works. You can read the Church of England’s Pray Your Part prayers here.
Love Your Neighbour
People say that politics and religion don’t mix, but for me, they are completely inseparable. Jesus demonstrated that in his care for people, in how he both challenged structures, and showed what it is to really love and care for one another.
So, for me, politics really is about how we organise ourselves as a country. It’s about the things that we value. And I think, with a parish church at the heart of pretty much every community, Christians have so much to say in this arena, with on-the-ground experience of what is going to benefit the whole community and the country.
Approaching the election, we need to consider what is means to love your neighbour as yourself? To ask, not just how does this benefit me, but how does this benefit others in society? This election is an opportunity to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes.
Make decisions for the good of all
So, my prayer this week would be for kindness, for goodwill, for people to come together, to use the vote that we have been given. My prayer would be that decisions would be made that would be for the good of all and our communal life together.
The Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, Acting Bishop of Exeter