The Times today carried the front page headline: "Church going on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour" and an article stating that if current trends continue then within a generation church attendance will have fallen behind that at Mosques, and be battling for second place with the Hinduism.
In the articles Hazel Blears said: "Britain is a secular democracy with a strong Christian tradition but many faiths have a home in Britain.”
How should we react to such news?
Firstly the article goes on to say that some evangelical churches are bucking the trend, where the truth is preached and people live by it the gospel continues to bear fruit.
Secondly it is a great insight into the need for the gospel in Britain. God has not changed, man's need has not changed and neither has the capability of the gospel to save.
Thirdly it should cause us to pray. Why? Because that is Daniel's response when he fears for his nation, because prayer is the place where we can bring our heart felt needs and concerns to God.
Finally it should make us aware of the opportunities. people expect the church to be dead or dying thus when they come across a church that is growing and active as it lives under God's word and models God's love to people it will be all the more startling for them. Indeed we have been involved in seeing people come to faith for whom that was exactly the starting point.
Religion may be on its knees Jesus Christ is not, he reigns at the right hand of his Father on high and he will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. We are privileged to be on the front line of that project in a nation with so many opportunities for those who will live with Jesus as their Saviour and their Lord.
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