Our UK decision in June 2016 to leave the European Union has been, and still is, a huge learning curve to all people with a heart to pray and work to see God's Kingdom be more fully seen and experienced. In the past, we may have approached 'big' issues from the same perspective and been able to come to a place of unity together but not so with 'Brexit'. Differing views have brought tensions in every area of our society and that includes our churches! One of the results of this that we can sidestep the urgent need to pray.

It is time to turn and seek the face of our Father in order to discern His plans and His purposes through all that is taking place regarding Brexit and its impact over our UK nations, the European Union, Europe and the rest of the world.

Over recent months in our World Prayer Centre days of prayer we have been asking the Lord to teach us how to pray and He has been clearly responding with 'it's time to turn'. The call to turn involves us laying down our own agendas, taking our eyes off our preferences, stances, political leanings and whether we voted Remain or Leave and to turn to Him afresh. We must put our trust in Him as Lord in and through all the shaking and uncertainty that we experience at every level of society - not only in the UK but all over the world.

We, as His church, need to be united and focussed on praying for His Kingdom to come in and through all of this so that heaven's purposes can be released on earth.

Praying for
His purposes to be revealed (Psalm 33.11)
His ways to be made known (Psalm 25.10; Ps 77.13)
His truth to emerge (John 14.17)
His justice to be outworked (Leviticus 19:15)
His mercy to be poured out (Habbakuk 3:2)
His compassion to be seen (Colossians 3:12)
His peace to be evident (Galatians 5:22)
His wisdom to be given (James 3:17)

For our leaders: for those negotiating with the European Union; for those working on the redrafting of our UK laws; that our Westminster and UK government leaders will not get distracted by the enormity of Brexit and be able to govern wisely; for political stability in our Westminster government and for a clear roadmap to emerge in these next few months before March 2019.

Let's make this a season where we adopt in prayer leaders including: Theresa May; Dominic Raab Secretary for Exiting the European Union and his team (Lord Callanan Minister of State; Robin Walker MP; Chris Heaton-Harris MP; Suella Braverman MP); Michel Barnier, as Chief Negotiator for the 27 EU countries and his deputy Sabine Weyand; Didier Seeuws (European Parliament); Donald Tusk (European Council); Jean-Claude Junker (European Commission): and other national leaders in Europe during this season - remembering leaders in Scotland and Wales and the situation in Northern Ireland without a functioning Assembly (1 Tim 2:2).

For reconciliation and trust: whatever agreements are finally agreed, humanly speaking it will all depend on those people meeting and discussing face to face. For those meetings to deliver what the Lord wants there will need to be trust, understanding and the ability by each party to listen to what is being proposed. As we write, there is talk of a vote of no confidence in Theresa May, disagreements between cabinet ministers - and in recent weeks we have seen how media leaks of supposed conversations in closed meetings in the 'Brexit talks' were not found to be true.
When we know of key dates of meetings; hear reports of disagreements, let's stand in the gap wherever we are and use arrow prayers for God's mercy, God's wisdom and God's healing 'Your kingdom Come' (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

For the media: for those working in the media to resist sensationalism and to uncover the truth in each situation… and for us to discern from the newsfeeds what are the real issues we need to be praying for and into (John3:21).

It's time to turn in humility and repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14) - in order for His purposes and plans to come for our UK nations, for the EU nations and the other nations within our continent. We are a continent that has turned our backs on our Father. The consequences are being worked through in every nation.
crying out for His mercy (Psalm 2.8)
knowing our position in Him and the authority we as His children and as His church have been given (Ephesians 1:3-7, 2:6-10, 3:16-19)
worshipping and declaring that he is Lord over all His earth, the people, the nations, the leaders, the land and put our trust in Him (Colossians 1.15ff; Psalm 24)
praying for peace, truth, mercy and justice to meet together (Psalm 85:9-13)
for courage for His church across our continent (Acts 4:27)
for Gods blessings to be released (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
For spiritual awakening in every people group and nation (Isaiah 64)
For millions to come to know Jesus as Lord (Psalm 67.6).

Brexit is an opportunity for us to learn afresh how to partner with our Father in these times of shaking and harvest as we learn afresh to trust in Him alone and see His glory revealed (John 11:40). We believe God has a very immediate plan and purpose for our nation - and our relationship with Europe - let us continue to pray for his sovereignty (Psalm 2:10-11)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timeline:
Phase I: Jan-March 2018: this phase has been set aside to firm up the conditions for the post-Brexit transition period requested by Britain. Key dates: March 22-23, 2018: EU summit in Brussels where the transition phase will be decided, the divorce bill legally drawn up and Michel Barnier given a mandate to negotiate the EU's future relationship with Britain.

Phase II: April 2018 to late October 2018. EU: The goal for October 2018 is to finalize a withdrawal treaty governing the UK's departure from the EU as well as a political framework agreement covering the future relationship between the two entities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some Resources:
Passion for the Nation declarations: http://passionforthenation.uk/brexit-10/
Operation World http://www.operationworld.org/country-lists
Canopy of Prayer http://www.canopyofprayer.eu/
Europe shall be saved http://esbs.org/esbs/
European Union of Prayer http://euofprayer.eu
European Evangelical Alliance http://www.europeanea.org
Pray for France https://prayforfrance.org/
https://epthinktank.eu/2018/01/17/europes-challenges-in-2018-ten-issues-to-watch/
The Lord's Prayer outline for praying for Brexit.

A Day of Prayer for Britain: Praying over Brexit, Unity and Reformation in the Church, Friday 23 March 2018, at Emmanuel Centre, London called by David Hathaway. More details from: http://propheticvision.org.uk/

The WPC Team