Welfare benefits cap will break up families
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has warned that the governments proposed welfare benefits cap will ‘break up families’ and ‘damage the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of children.’ Mr Hughes, who is not a minister and therefore not part of the coalition government, made his comments to the BBC ahead of more crucial votes in the House of Lords this week, as the Welfare Reform Bill (WRB) goes through its report stage before returning to the Commons. Mr Hughes told the BBC that he did not believe the Welfare Reform Bill would be passed as it stands. The government has headed off a House of Lords defeat over plans to replace the Disability Living Allowance. Conservatives leaned heavily on Liberal Democrat support in the Lords, avoiding another humiliating Welfare Reform Bill report stage defeat by only 16 votes.
Pray: for Government policy that as it tackles fiscal problems still protects the most vulnerable in society. (Ps.41:4)
Backbench rebellion over plans to change marriage law
Conservative MP’s are planning what could be the biggest ever backbench rebellion faced by Prime Minister David Cameron over his stated intention to legislate for full homosexual marriage. At least 100 Conservative backbenchers are thought to strongly oppose homosexual marriage. ‘Feelings are running high,’ one senior party source told the Independent. Lynne Featherstone, the equalities minister, has announced plans for a ‘consultation’ to be launched in March which is to be followed by a change in the law. David Burrowes MP told the paper that he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ the proposal will be defeated in the Commons because it would ‘fracture’ the institution of marriage. ‘Many colleagues are worried that it would fundamentally affect how marriage between a man and woman has historically been viewed in this country. There are strong doubts that we need to go down this path. It would open up a can of worms and a legal minefield about freedom, religion and equalities legislation.’
Pray: for our government as it considers these changes. Pray that those who already support the recognised form of marriage would stand firm on their beliefs. (1Cor.16:13)
Islamist stops university debate with threats of violence
A talk on sharia and human rights at Queen Mary University, London was cancelled because an Islamist made serious threats against everyone there. Ms Waters was due to give a talk on behalf of the One Law for All Campaign on 16 January but before it started a man entered the lecture theatre, stood at the front with a camera and filmed the audience. He then said he knew who everyone was, where they lived and if he heard anything negative about the Prophet, he would track them down. He also filmed students in the foyer threatening to murder them and their families then joined a large group of men supporters outside. Students were told by security to stay in the lecture theatre for their own safety. The police were contacted about the incident.
Pray: against a religious/political ideology that puts a Christian British way of life in danger. (Ps.33:18)
Putting God at heart of communities
Church charity shop is a listening ear and a place for a bargain. ‘The Church Shop’ is the brainchild of the Rev Alison Phillipson, vicar of Coatham and Dormanstown, and has been set up with the help of lay members of her church. ‘In a world where people don’t stop and listen, we here will listen,’ she said. Alison is one of the individuals living out the Gospel in the north-east of England whose stories will be told on the Archbishop of York’s website in the coming weeks. Other stories to be highlighted include a former drug addict and school bad boy who now contributes to the spiritual and moral development of school students. See: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/ Dr John Sentamu said: ‘How wonderful it is to hear these encouraging stories. Across the country, so many people are proclaiming the Good News and putting God at the heart of their communities’.
Pray: that the Holy Spirit will give vision to believers in creating ways to spread the Good News. (Ps.127:1)
Costa Concordia disaster
The Costa Concordia, believed to be the largest cruise ship flying the Italian flag, struck rocks in shallow water off Italy's western coast on Friday. The cruise liner captain accused of abandoning ship reportedly claimed he was unable to lead the evacuation because he slipped and tripped into a lifeboat while helping passengers leave the stricken vessel. The captain did however admit responsibility for crashing the ship into rocks forcing him to ground the vessel. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/18/costa-concordia-captain-tripped-lifeboat The name Concordia is Italian for harmony. Ironically, a Swiss national told national daily La Tribune de Genève he was listening to the theme tune from the film Titanic in the restaurant with his brother Kevin at the time of the accident. However, he said staff incompetence in evacuating the stricken vessel bore no comparison to the Titanic disaster. ‘Besides kitchen staff, who helped, there were no crew members,’ Mr. Sgaga is quoted as saying.
Pray: for God’s to rule and reign over this disaster, giving encouragement to survivors, comfort to family and friends of the deceased and those still not accounted for and that this will not become an ecological disaster. (Ps.47:8)
Costa Concordia disaster
The Costa Concordia, believed to be the largest cruise ship flying the Italian flag, struck rocks in shallow water off Italy's western coast on Friday. The cruise liner captain accused of abandoning ship reportedly claimed he was unable to lead the evacuation because he slipped and tripped into a lifeboat while helping passengers leave the stricken vessel. The captain did however admit responsibility for crashing the ship into rocks forcing him to ground the vessel. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/18/costa-concordia-captain-tripped-lifeboat The name Concordia is Italian for harmony. Ironically, a Swiss national told national daily La Tribune de Genève he was listening to the theme tune from the film Titanic in the restaurant with his brother Kevin at the time of the accident. However, he said staff incompetence in evacuating the stricken vessel bore no comparison to the Titanic disaster. ‘Besides kitchen staff, who helped, there were no crew members,’ Mr. Sgaga is quoted as saying.
Pray: for God’s to rule and reign over this disaster, giving encouragement to survivors, comfort to family and friends of the deceased and those still not accounted for and that this will not become an ecological disaster. (Ps.47:8)
Broke Greeks giving up their children
Greece - considered one of the most family oriented countries in Europe is now seeing Children being abandoned at nursery groups, churches and foster charities because parents can no longer afford to care for them since the financial crisis caused widespread unemployment across the country. A priest told the BBC that he had not come across children simply being abandoned before. ‘The parents say they do not have any money or shelter or food for their kids, so they hope we might be able to provide them with what they need. In a heartbreaking incident - a single unemployed mother put her child into foster care with a charity after twelve months searching for work. Although she now has a job she cannot afford to take her daughter back as she earns only £16 a day. Previously children went into foster care because of drug and alcohol addiction in the family. Now it is because of poverty.
Pray: for God to give Greece’s politicians and bankers and leaders in commerce and industry the strategies to lead Greece back into His purposes. (Pr.21:5-6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/broke.greeks.giving.up.their.children/29149.htm
Broke Greeks giving up their children
Greece - considered one of the most family oriented countries in Europe is now seeing Children being abandoned at nursery groups, churches and foster charities because parents can no longer afford to care for them since the financial crisis caused widespread unemployment across the country. A priest told the BBC that he had not come across children simply being abandoned before. ‘The parents say they do not have any money or shelter or food for their kids, so they hope we might be able to provide them with what they need. In a heartbreaking incident - a single unemployed mother put her child into foster care with a charity after twelve months searching for work. Although she now has a job she cannot afford to take her daughter back as she earns only £16 a day. Previously children went into foster care because of drug and alcohol addiction in the family. Now it is because of poverty.
Pray: for God to give Greece’s politicians and bankers and leaders in commerce and industry the strategies to lead Greece back into His purposes. (Pr.21:5-6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/broke.greeks.giving.up.their.children/29149.htm
“Let the New Wave of His Glory Fill the Earth!”
A New Paradigm
The World Prayer Assembly will be a “new paradigm” for an international congress of ministry and marketplace leaders. It will be an Acts 13-type encounter with the living God who longs to reveal Himself to those who are listening and wanting to implement His strategies for “prayer-action” that will revive and transform our world. Five early church leaders at Antioch gave the Lord opportunity to speak. The result was the launch of the mission movement to the Gentiles that brought the Good News of Jesus Christ to Europe and eventually around the world, changing human history more than any other movement. What will happen when 5000+ leaders gather in Jakarta to do the same? We believe it will be a “new wave” of His glory. It has the potential to bring revival and transformation to the nations as the Spirit of the Lord through the global prayer movement, joining with the mission and marketplace movements, rises up like a mighty spiritual tsunami, flowing back across the nations!
Hearing from the Lord of the Church
Many internationally known men and women of God like Dr. David Yonggi Cho, Dr. Enoch Adeboye, Suzette Hattingh, Cindy Jacobs, Luis Bush, Ed Silvoso, Graham Power, Tom Hess, Brian Mills, Ian Cole, Leslie Keegel as well as many prayer, mission and marketplace networks from around the world will join us in Jakarta. Some heads of state and other political officials have also been invited. We are not, however, gathering around great human personalities or important networks and organizations. We are gathering to seek the Lord of all the earth, the majestic God of glory, wisdom and love, and to hear from Him directly. His presence will be the main draw because we are convinced that He will speak as we give Him the opportunity to do so. Every presentation will be brief and given to facilitate prayerful encounter with God around a particular issue - so that we hear back from Him regarding His assignments for us corporately and personally.
Tri-Generational
The WPA will be tri-generational. One-third of the participants will be under age 30 for the leaders’ day sessions. In addition 40,000 youth and children will participate in the May 17 national stadium event, an event that will unite many millions of praying people within Indonesia and worldwide. Youth and children will be co-leaders of the WPA along with the adults. We recognize that God often uses the youngest and least known to convey His most important messages. We want to listen. As we partner with the younger generations and encourage them to share in leadership, we believe the Lord will raise up many new Josephs, Daniels, Samuels, Esthers, and Deborahs to do exploits for Him in generations to come.
Track Sessions According to Calling and Assignment
During our day sessions, approximately 40 2-hour track sessions will focus on various international issues, models of ministry and social spheres. Participants will have the opportunity to caucus according to their own choice and ministry calling. They will also hear updates on what is happening in that particular arena of concern. Together they will seek God with others who share their same passion for His strategies of “prayer- action” for the transformation of that issue or sphere.
Unity of the Body of Christ
The atmosphere of the WPA will be characterized by openness to God and others from diverse traditions and movements within the Body of Christ. We will meet in fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer in John 17 for true heart-unity within His Body. It will be a time of listening to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and sharing what we believe the Lord is saying.
Prayer Saturated
The WPA will be saturated with prayer in many different formats and styles - personal, contemplative, pairs, triplets and small groups. We will also join in prayer together in plenary sessions led by adults, youth and/or children from the platform. We want to be open to the richness of what the Spirit is doing and saying throughout the Body of Christ, not foolishly thinking that our way of understanding and practice is necessarily the only right way.
Learning Together
It will be an adventure of learning from the Lord and one another, as we enthrone Him, submit ourselves in His Presence and we watch Him do His wonders among us.
Welcome to the World Prayer Assembly! Welcome to a time of encounter with the Lord. Welcome to a time that has the potential to shape the future history of His Church and our world.
Archbishop of York: UK's humanity at stake over elderly care
The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu warns that ‘the nation’s humanity is at stake’ unless the elderly are protected from Government cuts. In a comment piece for The Telegraph, Dr John Sentamu admits savings must be made in public spending but urges them to be applied ‘with caution and compassion’. He says some 800,000 people who need special care are ‘old and afraid of tomorrow’ after running out of savings, even though they contributed to the building of the welfare state through their taxes. The Archbishop says society will be judged by how it treats growing numbers of vulnerable pensioners, and points out that the requirement to look after older generations goes back to the Ten Commandments. But Dr Sentamu, adds that the ageing population need not be a burden on the economy. He says many older people are saving the state money by continuing to work or supporting their spouses and grandchildren.
Pray: for the elderly and that they do not become disenfranchised by government policy. (1Ti.5:4)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/financialservices/retirement-finance/9010635/Archbishop-of-York-UKs-humanity-at-stake-over-elderly-care.html