Many years ago, the Editor of the Memoirs of the great Scottish theologian, Rev Thomas Halyburton (1674-1712), concluded the book with a warning that Scotland should ever have “ceased to remember that to her church, and the favour of her God upon it, she owes it all”.

He is referring to Scotland’s extraordinary blessings, and linking this to our rich spiritual heritage. We might think most obviously of the Reformation, and the spiritual and social advancements that from it flowed from it, while not overlooking the extraordinary legacy of the Seventeenth Century Covenanters, the Great Awakening of the Eighteenth Century, and numerous other revivals. It is unquestionably true that few if any countries have enjoyed such abundant spiritual liberties and blessings as Scotland has, which explains why ‘Land of the Book’ was once shorthand for our small nation.

Readers of this article will be able to draw their own conclusions as to the extent to which this description may still be said to apply today. All, however, can surely agree that God’s people in Scotland today ought to be interceding for His unmerited favour upon our land in this crucial election week. That we have a great deal to give thanks for, even over the course of the Parliamentary session recently ended, is undoubtedly true. However in light of our unparalleled privileges, we must earnestly plead for His mercy and grace in the weeks, months and years ahead.

Let us therefore pray earnestly to God that he may be pleased to raise up men and women of deep integrity and wisdom to positions of authority in Scotland as another election comes around. And let us pray for wisdom for ourselves as we undertake the extraordinary privilege and responsibility of casting our own vote on Thursday.