Politicians come out in support of Global Day of Prayer for London
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s election, Christian candidates have come out in support of Global Day of Prayer London and its call to a national day of prayer. Tens of thousands of Christians are expected to turn out for the Global Day of Prayer event at West Ham football stadium on June 13. Labour’s Stephen Timms said he hoped the day of prayer would be followed up with greater service in the community. Global Day of Prayer is a fantastic event. It attracts a very large number of people coming together with tremendous exuberance and a very strong sense of prayer and worship as well.' David Burrowes, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Enfield said, ‘The Global Day of Prayer would have added significance this year, falling after the General Election on May 6. That’s something that we all need to do and it couldn’t be a better time in the first month of a government as it’s setting out its direction.’ Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Southwark and Bermondsey, made a similar call.
Pray: for the Global Day of Prayer and that it will help set God’s path for the new Government. (Zec.3:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/politicians.come.out.in.support.of.global.day.of.prayer.for.london/25839.htm
Complaints surge over swearing on T.V. and radio
Pray: for Elizabeth as she takes up this challenging role to to care for our youngsters. (2Ti.1:14)
More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/prsafeguardingadviser.html
Lutherans see signs of convergence with Catholics on Eucharist issue
A German Protestant bishop has urged Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches to draw up a joint declaration on their shared beliefs about the Eucharist, one of the issues that have divided them for hundreds of years since the Reformation. ‘Our understandings of the Eucharist or Lord's Supper are no longer that far apart,’ said Lutheran Bishop Friedrich Weber, who deals with relations between the Catholic Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), a grouping of eight German regional Protestant churches. This follows a separate initiative of a group set up by Lutheran and Catholic churches in Sweden and Finland that has been discussing ways in which the two church traditions might advance the results of a 1999 joint Lutheran-Catholic declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. There is now greater consensus on, ‘the foundations of spiritual life, faith and sacraments, especially baptism and Communion’. Differences nevertheless remain in the ministry of pastors and bishops. Pray: for the world-wide Church in all its diversity that ways would be found to bring about unity. (Jn.17;20-21) More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4038
Lutherans see signs of convergence with Catholics on Eucharist issue
A German Protestant bishop has urged Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches to draw up a joint declaration on their shared beliefs about the Eucharist, one of the issues that have divided them for hundreds of years since the Reformation. ‘Our understandings of the Eucharist or Lord's Supper are no longer that far apart,’ said Lutheran Bishop Friedrich Weber, who deals with relations between the Catholic Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), a grouping of eight German regional Protestant churches. This follows a separate initiative of a group set up by Lutheran and Catholic churches in Sweden and Finland that has been discussing ways in which the two church traditions might advance the results of a 1999 joint Lutheran-Catholic declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. There is now greater consensus on, ‘the foundations of spiritual life, faith and sacraments, especially baptism and Communion’. Differences nevertheless remain in the ministry of pastors and bishops. Pray: for the world-wide Church in all its diversity that ways would be found to bring about unity. (Jn.17;20-21) More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4038
Welsh Christian Party win another Council seat
Martin Wiltshire has become Britain’s second Cllr (Elect) for the Christian Party ‘Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship’ in the Town Council by-election held yesterday in Llandrindod Wells West Ward just 9 months after the leader of the Christian Party of Wales, Jeff Green won their first town council seat. The election was triggered when Councillor Jones resigned two month ago for personal reasons. Cllr Wiltshire is a self-employed family man who has lived in the Ward for many years. Cllr Wiltshire beat the two other contestants by winning 51% of the votes. The second and third places shared the rest.
Praise: God for the election of Cllr Wiltshire that his faith and actions will be testimony to God’s hand on his life. (2Ti.2:15)
Welsh Christian Party win another Council seat
Martin Wiltshire has become Britain’s second Cllr (Elect) for the Christian Party ‘Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship’ in the Town Council by-election held yesterday in Llandrindod Wells West Ward just 9 months after the leader of the Christian Party of Wales, Jeff Green won their first town council seat. The election was triggered when Councillor Jones resigned two month ago for personal reasons. Cllr Wiltshire is a self-employed family man who has lived in the Ward for many years. Cllr Wiltshire beat the two other contestants by winning 51% of the votes. The second and third places shared the rest.
Praise: God for the election of Cllr Wiltshire that his faith and actions will be testimony to God’s hand on his life. (2Ti.2:15)
USA: Times Square suspect tutored by suicide trainer
The Times Square bombing suspect was Pakistan-born Faisal Shahzad who received instructions from the Pakistan Taliban's suicide bomb trainer. If this is verified the suspected links between Pakistan Taliban and Shahzad would mark a stark shift in how it and related jihadist groups pursue their goals. So far Pakistan’s Talibans have focused on attacks within Pakistan and in India, not the US. Pakistani investigators are also probing Shahzad's possible connections with Jaish-e-Muhammad an outlawed Islamist militant group. US and British intelligence officials estimate that about 100 Westerners have in recent years taken advantage of lengthy trips to the region to complete training at jihadi camps in Pakistan and returned to their home countries. In the light of the new evidence the Pakistani army is likely to come under more pressure from its US allies to clamp down on Pakistan Taliban strongholds if strong links with Shahzad emerge.
Pray: that God’s presence in Pakistan would grow as Christians reach Taliban members with thw Gospel. (Ps.46:9)
Christians warned of increasing marginalisation in the UK
Christians in the UK are facing increasing marginalisation and oppression under new laws originally intended to safeguard equality, Christian leaders have warned. The frank warning was delivered to around 1,000 Evangelical Christians at the Bible by the Beach conference held in Eastbourne over last weekend. They heard how equality laws have led to the dismissal of Christians who offered to pray for clients or patients, the closure of adoption agencies that refuse to place children with same-sex couples, and charities losing funding because of their Christian ethos. The conference explored the court ruling last week involving Gary McFarlane, (See Prayer Alert item above &1810) a relationship counsellor with Relate Avon who was dismissed for telling his employers that he could not counsel same-sex couples because of his Christian beliefs. The speaker warned that Christians needed to be aware that ‘rampant, illiberal secularism’ had become the prevailing attitude in the UK.
Pray: that God would strengthen all those in the front line of attacks against their faith. (Ps.18:32)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.warned.of.increasing.marginalisation.in.the.uk/25834.htm
Judge hits out at 24-hour drinking
A judge has blasted 24-hour licensing laws after sentencing yet another troublemaker for a late night drunken brawl. Supermarkets have also been slammed this week for slashing the price of a pint to 40p ahead of the World Cup. Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC is calling for a review of 24-hour licensing laws after becoming frustrated at dealing with cases of drunken violence ‘almost on a daily basis’. This latest case involved a 31-year-old former soldier from Bournemouth, who attacked his victim after he flicked a kebab in his face during a night out. Judge Harvey Clark said: ‘Speaking as someone who has to deal with such violence, almost on a daily basis, there is far too much violence and drunkenness on the streets of Bournemouth late at night. It may, in part, be due to the relaxation of the licensing laws. I would hope that relaxation is reviewed in the foreseeable future.’
Pray: that the 24-hour drinking law will be reviewed in the near future. (Joel.1:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/judge-hits-out-at-24-hour-drinking/
Ban council's Christian prayers, say secularists
A secular campaign group is trying to use the courts to ban a North Devon Council from starting its meetings with Christian prayers. Bideford Town Council has had prayers at its meetings since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, but now the National Secular Society (NSS) says the practice infringes on the human rights of non-believers. Mike Judge, head of communications at The Christian Institute, said: ‘It’s a tradition that’s gone on for hundreds of years. This is really a move by aggressive atheism trying to shove Christianity out of public life.’ Reports say Bideford Council won’t be able to afford top lawyers to fight the case. But Mr Judge said: ‘The council shouldn’t back down. It isn’t in breach of human rights law. Parliament has prayers, is Parliament illegal?’ A survey by the Daily Mail of 181 councils in England and Wales found 118 start their meetings with a prayer – of which nearly all were Christian.
Pray: For Bideford Council as they defend their right to start meetings with prayer. (1Ti.2:8)