Church of England calls for prayer amid record-breaking summer heat

The Church of England has issued a call for parishioners to pray for those affected by severe heatwaves, drought, and wildfires across the country. As Britain experiences what may become its hottest and driest summer on record, church leaders are emphasizing the historical tradition of seeking divine intervention during environmental crises. The Bishop of Lichfield, Michael Ipgrave, noted that the practice of praying for rain is deeply rooted in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and biblical accounts, such as the prayers of Elijah and Solomon.

Beyond spiritual support, the church has re-released its "A Time for Creation" resource to assist farmers and those suffering from the extreme weather. The impact of the summer has been significant, with reports of 2,877 heat-related deaths in July. Economic consequences are also mounting, as the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit reports a 2.5 million tonne reduction in cereal and oilseed yields, while the think tank Verdant estimates that lost productivity due to the heat has cost the nation £4.4 billion.