THE Bishop of St Asaph has admitted that we live in "difficult times" and our political life is in crisis.

In his 'ad clerum', a monthly letter, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron said that daily life is not much affected yet, but national life is becoming bitterly divided.

Bishop Gregory said: "I am told that plans have been laid to meet civil unrest if Brexit either does or does not happen.

"Every day, therefore, we should be praying for our politicians in Westminster that they may be given the guidance to act in wisdom for the good of the nation, and that we will be led into a way forward which is sustainable and beneficial to the country."

Currently, Brexit is scheduled to happen on Friday, April 12.

Prime Minister Theresa May is in talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to see if a compromise deal can be found

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a no-deal Brexit is now "very unlikely".

Bishop Gregory added in his letter: "One of the biggest taunts of those outside the world of faith is that faith is a crutch, by which I suppose that they mean that God is seen as some sort of indulgent saviour in the sky who can be used as an excuse for the way things are, or to soothe us from worry about death and taxes. I suppose Marx meant something like that when he wrote of religion being an 'opium for the people'.

"I believe faith has to be in touch with the hard places, and that runs two ways: firstly, that prayer should tackle difficult situations head on, praying about all things and facing up to the challenges of the world.

"Secondly, it is not an abdication of responsibility but a call to take up the cause of what is just and true and right. Far from being a crutch, stirs us from sloth to engagement in our own life and discipleship, to become advocates for justice and truth."