Farmers have been severely impacted by the long period of hot weather. With an official drought being declared in parts of southern, central and eastern England there are fears for the harvest.

The drought is affecting crop yields for cereals, vegetables and fruit. As meadows stop growing and turn brown the normal second cut of grass is impossible. That means there is likely to be a shortage of food for cattle and sheep this winter. 

Bernard Hicks, secretary of Farming Christian Link, describes it as "a crisis for the nation and for the farmers themselves."

The drought comes on top of rising prices for fuel needed for farm machinery like tractors and combine harvesters plus sharp rises in the cost of fertiliser which Mr Hicks says has "escalated in terrible terms".

The retired farmer is urging Christians to ask for God's intervention. 

He said: "Pray for the farmers themselves. Pray for the rain so that the crops will mature, for seeds (for next season's crops) to germinate in the ground and for the grass to grow."

But Mr. Hicks wants a particular form of precipitation. 

He continued: "They've been forecasting thunderstorms. But we need steady rain. With cloudbursts the water just runs off the ground and doesn't benefit the ground in the same way as a steady rainfall would."

But Farming Christian Link believe the Christian faith should give farmers confidence that even the drought and extended period of hot weather in parts of the UK are part of a divine plan. The retired farmer remains faithful, "God is sovereign. He is in control so we should commit all this to him and give thanks for the provision of all our daily needs." 

The group secretary adds, "And also for the farmers themselves who play such a vital part in that."