A week after the mass shooting in an Orlando nightclub, senate Democrats demanded action on gun control; but the measures failed to pass the senate’s sixty-vote threshold. On Wednesday Democrats in Congress started a dramatic sit-in for gun control, completely disrupting political business. Chanting ‘No bill, no break!’, they wanted the traditional two-week summer break not to start until the issue was debated. The Democratic whip said, ‘This is an issue that ought to transcend party politics - it's about saving lives and keeping our communities safe.’ The sit-in, reminiscent of strategies used by civil rights activists in the 60s, was called off after 24 hours. However, many believe now is the time to do something similar, make a peaceful noise, get in the way and act for what they believe in.

For an hour each day, Kim Chung-seong, a defector from North Korea and a Christian missionary, takes to the microphone in a small studio. At 1.00 am his show ‘Hello from Seoul’ sends a mix of gospel music and news into North Korea, defying the isolated state's efforts to keep its people in the dark about the world, religion and the truth about its leaders. ‘Brothers and sisters in the North, I hope this time can be a moment of prayer for a miracle that every party member of North Korea at the party congress can meet God, not take a further step into the cult of personality’, Kim said. He was referring to the meeting of the North's ruling Workers' Party this month, where young leader Kim Jong Un was unanimously elevated to party chairman. Kim came to the South in 2004 and broadcasts from his studio at the Far East Broadcasting Company.

Carol Everett is a champion of the pro-life cause but had previously been part of the abortion industry and had even owned abortion clinics. In 1973 her husband and doctor pressured her to abort her third child, which she did. That decision led her in a downward spiral. She began drinking, had an affair, and left her husband. She worked for a medical supply company and saw how much money could be made in the abortion industry. Owning an abortion clinic with a high abortion quota would make her a millionaire, so she opened two clinics and managed four others. Then in 1983 she encountered Christ, and her views on abortion radically changed. Carol is now a pro-life advocate who has started an organisation called the Heidi Group which offers life-affirming medical services to pregnant women, and encourages women who are considering abortion to talk to someone who does not have a monetary interest in their decision.

Since 20 February, when David Cameron announced that the UK would vote on Britain's membership of the EU on 23 June, well-known Christian figures have aired their thoughts on the EU. They range from theologian Krish Kandiah who thinks we're better together in the Union, to Jonathan Arnott, Christian UKIP MEP, who wants Britain to leave. Prayer Alert has no editorial line beyond a commitment to communicate Christian reflection and commentary to enhance understanding on an issue that many find both confusing and divisive. All the media is full of comment, but we need to be like 'the men of Issachar' who understood the times and knew what to do (1 Chr.12:32). The most important thing we can do right now is to ask God for His directive. This week’s INSIGHT article contains various comments from the Christian media, giving Bible-based perspectives to help people as they pray and allow God to inspire their thoughts. To read this article click the ‘More’ button.

This week’s prayer points from the WPC’s 'Every Vote Counts' prayer guide are: Ask God to lead all who are undecided how to vote (Ps. 27:14). For the release of a new hunger for prayer for our nation (Is.62:6). For blessings and wisdom to guide the peoples in Northern Ireland (Pr.3:5-6). For the referendum decision to bless future generations (Lk.1:50). For strengthening unity among the peoples across the UK nations (Ps.133). For truth in all final speeches (Ja.1:5). Pray for God’s protection for every voting station and around our borders (Ps.121:7). Ask God to shape political leaders’ decisions during and after Thursday. (Ro.13:1). We declare Jesus is Lord over the decision taken across the UK (Lam.5:19). Pray for peace and stability throughout our nation and continent (Ps.72:18-19). Pray for Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, San Marino, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia to approach God’s throne of grace.

The Archbishop of York appeared on Piers Morgan’s ITV show to discuss the referendum, but the presenter changed the topic to the church's views on gay rights following the attack in Orlando. Dr Sentamu refuses to bless gay marriage but urges Christians to speak out in support of persecuted LGBT people. Piers asked, ‘What would you say if I told you that because of the colour of your skin, you can only have a civil partnership marriage?’ He replied, ‘People say that sexuality is equal in terms of argument to slavery, no it's not. Some of my relations actually died on those ships. Slavery was a very wrong thing. I have many gay friends, they see me as someone who wants to protect them from homophobia. Not supporting same-sex marriage doesn't equal homophobia.’ His comments at the same interview were inaccurately reported in the ‘Pink News’. They reported, ‘Archbishop John Sentamu says Homosexuality is not a sin.’ See

A report by the Royal Society for Public Health and the Faculty of Public Health said the Government's approach to a ‘drugs policy’ had failed, and there should be a greater focus on treatment and education. The Home Office defended its record, saying that drug misuse had declined over the past 10 years. The report said criminal sanctions failed to deter illegal drug use, undermined people's life chances, and could act as a barrier to addicts coming forward for help. It said the UK should adopt the Portuguese system under which people caught using drugs were offered treatment and support rather than being punished. However, dealers and suppliers would still be prosecuted. The report also suggested that drugs education should be made mandatory, and responsibility for drugs policy moved from the Home Office to the Department of Health. Those who misuse drugs are in need of treatment and support - not criminals in need of punishment.

Plans to shake up special educational needs funding for people with disabilities could see special units close. Cuts from £10,000 to £6,000 a year would be ‘disastrous’ and would not address the wide disparity in funding for children with similar needs. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said that the proposals do not address the so-called ‘top-up’ funding for children with very complex needs, where there are variabilities in funding levels for children with very similar needs (£2,000 of education funding in one local authority but £20,000 in another). The Department of Education needs to develop parameters and controls to ensure that funding is fairly distributed within local authorities. Recently, a primary school excluded thirty disabled children. Tory councillor John Lines has claimed that the 'unusually high' exclusion rate was part of a ploy to improve behaviour figures in a 'rush to become an academy'. See:

The Prison Reform Trust has proposed the establishment of a women’s centre on the site of the existing visitors’ centre at HMP Holloway, which is due to close later this month. Last December the trust wrote to the Secretary of State for Justice, following his announcement of Holloway’s closure, with a proposal to work with strategic partners to adapt the visitors’ centre (a purpose-built space refurbished by the Tudor Trust) into a women’s centre. Michael Gove confirmed at a Justice Committee meeting in March that the proposal was ‘a good idea’ and was under consideration by the Ministry of Justice. He has not yet acted to provide much-needed services for vulnerable women and a proper sentencing option for north and east London courts. Pray for resources to provide safe housing, mental health and addiction services, debt counselling, employment training and a crèche.

This week, on the anniversary of the Magna Carta (15 June), we can remember the words signed by King John that formed its first clause, ‘that for us and our heirs in perpetuity, the church shall be free, and shall have its rights in full and its liberties intact’. Over the referendum we can pray for our nation to rediscover our God-given identity and purpose, and be positioned for maximum influence in the days ahead. Jesus gave his Church the great commission, so that we can decree and declare over this land ‘freedom to the Church to fulfil its call to preach the gospel, heal the sick, set the captives free and to bring in the Kingdom to these nations.’ We praise and thank God for the freedoms which, based on His word, have been our inheritance, encompassed in our laws, and impacted the world.