Some may have muttered "Cranks!" but they could hardly have said that about Rev John Charles Ryle who was destined to become the brilliant first Bishop of Liverpool. In 1865 he wrote about a foot and mouth plague called upon people to turn from their ungodly ways to Christ.

But can we link a cattle plague with the morality of the nation? Well here is an abbreviated version of a prayer by Solomon, the world's wisest king.

"O Lord whatever plague there is, when prayer is made by anyone who knows the plagues of his own heart then hear from heaven and forgive." (1 Kings 8:37-39). He is teaching us that we must humbly acknowledge the plagues in our own hearts before we can pray to god to help with the cattle plague or any problem. Sadly for years a human form of foot and mouth disease has been spreading its tentacles across Britain. Millions of feet do not now walk in "the paths of righteousness". (Psalm 23) Mouths eat food without thanking the Giver. Instead they have lips blistering with blasphemy! The commandment says, "The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." (Exodus chapter 20). How dare we pray for help unless we repent? Especially when God in His love allowed His only Son to be, "led as a lamb to the slaughter" (Acts 8:32) so that we can be forgiven.

Recently I had meals on a farm where all the family bowed their heads in a prayer of thanksgiving before eating.

The farmer only does essential work on a Sunday and changes quickly out of His milking clothes to attend church.

What a happy family.