The Evangelical Alliance has called for prayer after Britons voted to leave the European Union, a move that has been labeled an "explosive shock" by French leaders.
"While the UK has voted to leave the EU, the vote has exposed deep disagreement across our nations, cities and regions," Steve Clifford, general director of the alliance's UK arm stated. "This has to be a time to pray."
Markets across the globe plunged on Friday as results from the referendum defied bookmakers' odds to reveal a 52-48 percent victory for the campaign to leave a bloc Britain joined more than 40 years ago.
Prime Minister and leader of the "Remain" campaign, David Cameron, swiftly announced he would leave office by October, after conceding that the people had "made the very clear decision to take a different path," adding that it would not be right for him to led the country to its "next destination."
"As we look to the future the priority must be building unity and modelling reconciliation," Clifford continued. "I'm praying for wisdom for our leaders as they navigate the uncertain waters that lie ahead."
In the past, Britain has often expressed ambivalence about its relations with the rest of post-war Europe as a firm supporter of free trade, tearing down internal economic barriers and expanding the EU to take in ex-communist eastern states.