Please pray urgently for our Farming Community (August 2026)
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:1
The whole of this industry is under huge challenges.
The drought – affecting Wales and much of Central and Southern England – means crop yields (wheat, barley, rape seed etc) are much lower, there is no grass to feed sheep and cattle and so winter food stocks are being used.
Pray for the cry for God’s mercy to arise from His church across our lands as we humbly ask for weather patterns to change; for the gift of hope for every farmer, farm worker and their families; for those in churches in rural counties to offer practical support and spiritual advice. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Animal disease is very distressing for farmers and livestock and has massive financial implications. Bovine TB sees c30,000 cattle in the UK slaughtered each year. Bovine Blue Tongue (affecting sheep and cattle) is a viral disease (deaths in some sheep flocks can be as high as 70%) is currently spreading rapidly through Devon and Cornwall, leaving huge financial and emotional impact.
Pray for the cry for God’s mercy and for healing to come for both animals and land, for wisdom for a righteous response; and for practical help for farmers and their families (e.g. through Farming Community Network). (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Illegal dumping – Farmers are facing financial ruin after illegal fly tipping on their land leaves them with the cost of removal and cleansing the land. There were 1.2 million incidents reported last year.
Pray for an end to the dumping of waste and for the authorities to urgently provide help needed so the land can be safely used again.
Mental impact Those working on the land are very resilient, practical and able to cope with many challenges but these are becoming just too much for some. Farm Safety Foundation’s Mind Your Head charity said the mental wellbeing of UK farmers is at a four-year low, following 47 suicides in 2024 alone – a 7% increase from 2022.
Pray for hope and life for all in this industry, for those who don’t know where to turn to be brave enough to ask for help, pray that many will cry out to the Lord (Psalm 34: 18)
Vulnerability of Farming today. There appears to have been a lack of understanding by successive governments as to the vital importance of the farming industry food security for our nation. Currently, the price farmers are paid for grain, milk, etc. is so low, farmers are running at a loss and more English farms are on the market than at any time in the past twenty years.
Pray for Andy Burnham’s new government and for Dame Angela Eagle the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who has said she wants to “support farmers to run profitable businesses is vital for food security and growing the whole economy.” (1 Timothy 2:1)
Let’s pray for our farmers: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace”. (Numbers 6:24-26)
Jane Holloway, World Prayer Centre and Sue Sinclair Community Watchmen Ministries
