[Today’s Prayer] UK citizens petition to revoke ‘ban on public preaching’… over 10,000 participate

In the United Kingdom, more than 10,000 citizens have recently signed a petition urging Colchester City Council to revoke a Community Protection Notice (CPN) issued against Bread of Life Community Church.

The order prohibits the church and its members from continuing their long-standing practice of public preaching in the city center. The church claims that “there had been no complaints prior to the involvement of local officials last year.”

According to the church, authorities initially asked them to lower or stop using loudspeakers during preaching, even though there were no regulations prohibiting their use in that area. Later, they reportedly began to take issue with the content of the sermons, particularly references to hell.

The CPN states that “the church is delivering messages that cause harassment, alarm, and distress.” It also claims that “the content of the preaching is unreasonable and has a harmful impact on the community.”

(omitted)

At the time of writing, more than 10,600 people had signed the petition. The petition states, “Bread of Life Community Church has long shared the Christian message publicly,” and adds, “All outreach activities are recorded and live-streamed, and no evidence of harassment has been presented.”

It continues, “They are being sanctioned not for inappropriate behavior, but for the content of their message—the gospel of life that has been proclaimed on Britain’s streets for centuries,” and calls for the revocation of the Community Protection Notice, urging recognition of freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

Colchester City Council declined to provide detailed comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.

Source: Christian Today

“If we hold firmly to the confidence we had at first, we will share in Christ.” (Hebrews 3:14)

Heavenly Father, we hear the news that more than 10,000 citizens in the United Kingdom have signed a petition calling for the revocation of a city council order that prevents churches from publicly preaching.

Please let the Community Protection Notice—which seeks to stop the continued proclamation of the gospel of life that has been preached on the streets of the UK for centuries, and which claims that the church harms the community—be swiftly revoked.

Even in Europe, where many say that countless young people are leaving and churches are declining due to secularism and pluralism, we thank You for preserving churches that stand on Your side and continue to proclaim the gospel.

May the Church in the UK firmly hold onto what the Lord has spoken to the very end, and rise as a holy church that participates with Christ in the work of God.

Beyond simply keeping their own faith, grant them bold faith that awakens neighboring nations and all of Europe, and do not let them cease resisting the messages of the world that love self and oppose God.

Church in the UK, rise up and overcome the world by the power of the gospel! Awaken those who sleep and prepare the way for the Lord’s return!