This petition was submitted during the 2017-2019 parliament

Petition To keep daily prayers in House of Commons, as UK was built on Christian values.

An MP is calling for the practice of saying prayers at the beginning of parliamentary business in the Commons to be abolished.

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The main prayer asks for God's guidance that MPs "never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals".

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

28,039 signatures

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Government responded

This response was given on 13 February 2019

The provision of Parliamentary Prayers is a matter for the House of Commons.

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The provision of Parliamentary Prayers is a matter for the House. However, many Members of all faiths appreciate the opportunity for quiet reflection before making important decisions during debates and the course of the parliamentary day.

Over recent years Parliament has made many inclusive reforms. One of these is the creation of a multi-faith prayer room in January 2018. The room is non-denominational and accessible to people of all faiths and of no faith. It provides a space for individual contemplation and/or prayer.

Leader of the House of Commons

Petitions Committee requests a revised response from the Government.

The Petitions Committee (the group of MPs who oversee the petitions system) met recently and considered the Government’s response to this petition. They felt that the response did not clearly address the request of petition and have therefore written back to the Government to ask them to provide a revised response.

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