Christian politicians are urging prayers for foreign secretary Liz Truss who has been confirmed as the new Conservative Party leader and will be the new prime minister of the UK.
Chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench MPs, Sir Graham Brady, announced the result of the six-week Conservative leadership contest at a conference centre in Westminster on Monday.
With 81,326 votes Truss has become the third female prime minister from the Conservative party. Rishi Sunak received 60,399 votes.
"Pray for wisdom," Clare De Silva, Parliamentary spokesperson for St Albans and former Conservative local councillor told Premier.
"I think there's nothing like wisdom and is the number one thing to pray for. And also for that sense of peace in the eye of the storm because it is all about to hit, she comes in really challenging circumstances," she continued.
Boris Johnson will now depart No10 and return to the Tory back benches while Liz Truss will make her way to Balmoral, where the Queen will officially appoint her as prime minister, the 15th of her reign.
She's promised a "bold plan" to cut taxes and grow the economy and insists she'll "deliver" on household bills.
She has previously said she will announce plans to support households within a week of taking office.
"We must now all get behind her as she grapples with exceptionally tough challenges," Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon told Premier.
"We must pray for wisdom, strength and the ability to unite the nation."
Although Truss has not professed any faith, Matt Wilson from Common Change, a local Labour Party Councillor, told Premier he believes she will reach out to faith communities.
"Conservative politicians do have the time to reach out to faith communities so I would expect that she will be taking into account the role that faith communities have to play during this crisis."
He also said she expects her to be "truthful" with the country and "a little more upfront".
Church leaders have also reacted to her appointment.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby has shared on Twitter he is praying for her.
"I am praying for Liz Truss as she takes on the great responsibilities of leadership at a time of such significant challenges.
"May God guide her, and all who serve in our political live, towards His hope for our nation, and particular care for those who are vulnerable"
Gavin Calver, the CEO of the Evangelical Alliance, also urged people to join him in praying for the UK's new prime minister.
"Leadership is always hard & it's difficult to imagine a more challenging set of circumstances for a new PM to have to take on. Cost of living crisis, industrial action, war in Ukraine… the list feels endless," he wrote on Twitter.
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols congratulated Liz Truss and offered his "prayerful support".
He said: "Her appointment comes at a time when many crises have to be faced, at home and across the world. Prominent among them is the crisis in the cost of living.
"Catholics are present in every local community, seeking to contribute constantly to the support of those in need. So we are well aware of the dramatic impact this crisis is having, with many people knowing they face choices between ‘heating or eating’, especially as winter approaches. The affluence to which our society has become accustomed seems to be seeping away.
"I, and my fellow bishops, recognise the complexity of the causes, both short and long-term, that bring about the crisis now affecting so many. There are many Catholics in public life and in the charitable sector who are engaging in trying to produce long-term solutions to these political and economic challenges."
Chief executive of Christian Aid Patrick Watt said: “The burning question is whether Liz Truss will now seize the opportunity to reset the government’s approach and rise to the unprecedented domestic and global challenges we face. She must.
“The new Prime Minister must tackle the climate crisis, a major factor in Pakistan’s floods, by supporting a just transition to net zero and urgently help the millions of people on the brink of famine in East Africa with a swift reversal of cuts to international aid.”
Britain's fourth prime minister in six years will officially become the UK's prime minister on Tuesday and will meet with her new cabinet on Wednesday.