Praying for United Kingdom

Where the church stands in United Kingdom

Britain sent Carey to India, Livingstone to Africa, Hudson Taylor to China. Two centuries later, for the first time, England and Wales record fewer than half the population identifying as Christian, and church attendance sits in the single digits.

The growth that does exist comes largely from elsewhere: African, Caribbean, Chinese and Eastern European congregations are among the most vital churches in British cities. The country that once sent is now being re-evangelised by the descendants of those it sent to.

Signs of hope

Diaspora congregations bringing vitality back into British cities, and a growing church-planting movement in urban centres.

The honest difficulty

Fewer than half the population now identify as Christian, with historic buildings emptying faster than new churches are planted.

What "Less-reached" means

There is a church, but it is small relative to the population, or the Christian identity is far more widespread than active faith. Much of the nation can still live a whole life without meeting a follower of Jesus.

In United Kingdom the majority religious context is Christianity (~46%), no religion (~37%). The largest population still considered without meaningful Gospel access is the South Asian and Middle Eastern diaspora communities.

How to pray for United Kingdom

Prayer is not a substitute for going; it is how going begins. Take one of these for a week rather than all of them for a day.

• Pray for Britain — a nation that sent the Gospel and now needs it again.
• Thank God for African, Caribbean and Asian congregations reviving British cities.
• Ask God to reach a generation with no church background at all.
• Pray for South Asian and Middle Eastern communities in British cities.