The Northern Ireland Assembly election took place yesterday, and counting the votes has begun. At the time of going to press, the two dominant parties of unionism and nationalism, the DUP and Sinn Féin, expected to retain their seats. The election was triggered by the collapse of the Assembly's power-sharing agreement, following Sinn Féin's refusal to replace Martin McGuinness as leader and deputy First Minister. We can pray that whoever sits in positions of influence after the election will be filled with God’s anointing and will speak according to God’s plans and purposes that rise above and beyond man’s wisdom. Lord, Your gospel is a Gospel of reconciliation; we pray for Your people to walk more under the Headship of Jesus, and in the unity that comes through Kingdom purpose. May they lead the way so that all communities divided through religion, culture, social status and political opinion will be healed.

On 2 March, Northern Ireland will vote for a new Assembly amid much uncertainty. DUP leader Arlene Foster faces criticism for an energy scheme that wasted hundreds of millions of public money. Sinn Fein faces a generation change as Martin McGuinness steps down, and the finance minister describes the Brexit votes as having a calamitous effect on the economy. Some say Brexit could scupper the peace deal. Pray for God’s hand on this election: for truth, integrity, and peace. Scotland voted 62% to remain, believing the single market is vital to jobs and economy. The SNP are deciding whether to call another referendum - their conference is in late March.The UK will trigger Article 50 in mid-March. Pray for the relations between London and Scotland to improve, for leaders to have wisdom and integrity.

During the election campaign for a new Northern Ireland assembly, Sinn Féin has renewed its commitment to same-sex marriage. Promising to work to legislate for marriage equality, party members Gerry Kelly, Caral Ni Chuilin and Megan Fearon said there is a growing demand for a change in the law. Sinn Féin and other parties have previously tried to force through new laws to lift the ban on gay marriage in the Stormont assembly, but these moves have been blocked by opposition mainly from the Democratic Unionist Party. Ms Fearon, an assembly candidate for Newry and Armagh, said she has friends in Dundalk who can marry the person they love, but those who live just a few miles north of the Irish border cannot. She added: ‘So we are pledging to work actively for equality as we have always done. We want all parties who say they are progressive to state clearly what they will do for the LGBT community.’ In 2015 the assembly voted narrowly in favour of gay marriage equality, but the DUP vetoed any change in the law. Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where gay couples cannot get married legally.

It seems almost inevitable that there will be an election in Northern Ireland, following deputy first minister Martin McGuinness’s resignation on Monday. This was after first minister Arlene Foster refused to step aside temporarily while an inquiry took place into the controversial ‘cash for ash’ renewable heat incentive scheme, which has turned out to be much more expensive than expected. Unless Sinn Féin nominates a replacement for McGuinness, which it has refused to do, an election has to be called. It is not certain if McGuinness will be a candidate in the expected elections: he has been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, which affects the nervous system and the heart to varying degrees. Medical experts say the disease progresses slowly.