Leaders are calling for an urgent day of prayer.
As a crucial vote on assisted suicide legislation approaches in the UK Parliament, several Christian organizations have united in opposition. They are urging believers across the country to participate in a national day of prayer on June 11. This call to prayer comes in response to growing concern over two active proposals—one in the Scottish Parliament and another in Westminster—that seek to legalize assisted suicide in different parts of the UK.
These organizations, including the Christian Institute, CARE, Affinity, the Evangelical Alliance, Christian Concern, and the Christian Medical Fellowship, argue that no legal safeguards can adequately protect vulnerable people from the risks posed by such legislation. They are particularly troubled by the possibility that the laws could normalize helping people end their lives under the guise of compassion. Leaders like Simon Calvert from the Christian Institute are encouraging believers to pray that more lawmakers recognize the gravity of the issue and reject the proposals.
Recent developments suggest that support for the bills may be weakening. Some members of Parliament who initially voted in favor during earlier stages are now reconsidering. Reports indicate that a number of legislators may abstain or reverse their stance during the final vote, especially as ethical and emotional concerns about pressuring vulnerable individuals have come into sharper focus.
One notable example is Liberal Democrat MP Brian Mathew, who supported the bill in a previous reading to allow for further debate. However, he has since expressed serious concerns. In communication with his constituents, Mathew highlighted the danger that terminally ill people might choose assisted suicide not out of free will, but out of a sense of guilt or fear of being a burden on their families.
With the vote scheduled for June 20, Christian leaders hope that public prayer and growing awareness of the issue’s moral complexity will influence more politicians to vote against legalizing assisted suicide. They see this as a critical moment for upholding the value of life and protecting society’s most vulnerable individuals.