“Try Praying”, says the sign outside a church, hoping no doubt to capture the attention of someone in need of help. Part of a publicity campaign to reach those without religious belief, the Try Praying initiative was rolled out across Scotland five years ago, with banners at church gates, and adverts on the sides of buses. Market research showed that 32% who had seen the slogan had subsequently tried praying. What they prayed for, and whether their petitions were answered is not, sadly, recorded.

In the long history of prayer, this was a tiny initiative, and yet it was significant. People’s willingness to give it a try all point to the age-old belief - in which billions world-wide still trust - that there is a deity, an all-powerful force, on whose assistance we can call by praying.

In the minds of believers, in other words, prayer is a powerful force. No doubt this explains the outrage of those whose vigils outside abortion clinics in Scotland are soon to be banned. A crucial part of these Christian protesters’ armoury is prayer, both silent and vocal.

A vigil outside an Edinburgh abortion clinic (Image: free)

Soon, however, proposed new laws will criminalise religious acts including praying audibly, silent vigils and religious preaching within 200 metres of abortion clinics. This will allow women going for treatment to enter the building without running a gauntlet of moral condemnation by groups of Christians hoping to change their minds. I’m assuming - certainly hoping - that carrying placards with images of foetuses or emblazoned with words like murder fall under the same prohibition.

It's not only the Bishops’ Conference of........

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