Coulter pens UUP prayer

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, who was North Antrim UUP MLA from 1998 to 2011, formally unveiled the new prayer at the party’s spring Conference near Antrim on Saturday.

Speaking afterwards, he told The Ballymena Times,: “I was deeply honoured to be asked by my friend and party colleague, Sir Reg Empey, to write a formal prayer for the UUP which can be used to open meetings of branches and associations.

“I was also honoured to be asked to give the UUP Prayer its first airing during the open devotions at the weekend’s Spring Conference.”

Rev Dr Coulter was North Antrim Ulster Unionist Party MLA from 1998 to 2011 and was previously Ulster Unionist Party Chief Whip in the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue from 1996-98.

He was succeeded as UUP MLA by Mr Robin Swann, the Party’s North Antrim Westminster candidate for the May 7 election and who is also UUP Chief Whip.

The UUP Prayer reads: “Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the rich heritage of the Ulster Unionist Party, into which we have entered. We ask for the continued wisdom and support you have given to those who have gone before us. We especially remember the courage, dedication and sacrifice of our members in their service to Country and Party. We pray for our Sovereign Queen Elizabeth and her family, Her Ministers of State and those members of this Party who serve in Europe, at Westminster, the Northern Ireland Assembly and in our Local Government Chambers. Give to each your wisdom and strength so that they may serve with faithfulness and humility, with honour and integrity, seeking only to serve others before themselves. Guide us in all discussions and decisions, giving us the light of your wisdom. May we always stay true to your Holy Word as we serve one another, our Country and our Party. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”