Christian bids to be next PM
The Work and Pensions Secretary, Stephen Crabb, who is a committed Christian, is one of five Conservative MPs who are bidding for the party leadership. He has teamed up with Business Secretary Sajid Javid in what Mr Crabb dubbed a ‘blue collar ticket’. Mr Crabb has lined up Attorney General Jeremy Wright to act as the manager for his campaign. Hugely popular among colleagues, Mr Crabb comes from an ordinary background that chimes with many voters. Mr Crabb has said God's care for widows and orphans in the Bible is his ‘guiding star for social policy.’ In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, he said, ‘There's something unattractive about politicians who wave a flag called faith, but at a personal level it's important for me.’ He received criticism for his links to the Christian lobby group CARE, and for voting against same-sex marriage in 2013. The new Tory leader will be in place by 9 September.
Brexit and the fight against corruption
A new government focussed on leaving the EU will have many things on its plate. Those are exactly the conditions in which corruption can take hold in public institutions and the private sector. Once it takes root, eradication is much more difficult . Transparency International have outlined possible Brexit consequences and pitfalls that we can ask God to intervene in, such as directives on anti-money-laundering and transparency over corporate reporting. Without the EU backstop the UK will rely on the quality of its government. Pray that the Government will allocate resources wisely. Exports will rise, raising the risk of bribery and undesirable partners and companies eager for investment in an emerging infrastructure with corrupt assets. Pray for leaders to put ethics over economic gain. During the financial crisis senior corporate managers and directors cut ethical corners. In economic uncertainty, this attitude could return. Pray for stability and honesty in the banking sector. The Government will have challenges ahead on the corruption front. Pray for political will to prevent slipping standards.
‘We are at a tipping point’
Following the referendum result the Bishop of Exeter said, ‘We are at a real tipping point in the life of our nation, in terms of our place in Europe and in terms of what we want our country to be.’ He added that whether we are elated or depressed we need to unite and move forward against a background of a divided nation. Large numbers of ordinary people feel that their concerns have been ignored. There is a divide between London and Northern England, and between England and Scotland. Our largest political parties are ripping themselves apart in acrimony and recrimination. The cost is being counted, and not just in finance.’ However, he also said that first and foremost we must resist being controlled by fears, continue to make this country a place of tolerance and welcome, and work across national boundaries to build a safer, more united future.
At a tipping point - we can pray
At this time of uncertainty we can pray. ‘Father, we ask You in the name of Jesus to release a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation over our land. We ask for Your anointing on the Church as never before so that we can declare your blessings upon the United Kingdom. We pray that You will bring about forgiveness in people’s hearts for the words that caused offence, fear or anger and in the name of Jesus, we speak healing and reconciliation into every generational and political divide, either historical or recent. Father, we ask You to pour out a new spirit of respect, love and cooperation across political and generational divisions. We pray for the Church to carry and model Your message of reconciliation and unity with sensitivity; and we call out the spiritual fathers and the mothers God has prepared for such a time as this.’
Cardinal condemns racist attacks
The National Police Chiefs Council said that hate crime has increased by 57% since the referendum. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said Catholics must stand together with migrants to create and fashion a society that works toward the common good. There are 850,000 Polish people in Britain. Racist graffiti was left on the entrance of the Polish Social and Cultural Association in west London. In Cambridgeshire laminated cards saying ‘No more Polish vermin’ have been posted through letterboxes. In Newcastle people have been confronted by racist banners. The cardinal said, ‘If a victory in a referendum remains a point of division, then we become weaker as a nation and do not play a part on the international scene tackling the world’s problems, which are great and challenging.’ The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has called for people to respect the outcome of the referendum and to act with ‘mutual respect and civility’.
Europe post-Brexit
After talks in Berlin this week, the leaders of Italy, Germany and France have ruled out any informal talks with Britain on leaving the EU, raising the prospect of a lengthy political vacuum within the EU. Pray for God to dispel anger and selfish ambition from the spiritual and emotional atmosphere of the 27 nations. Over the past week the media has been suggesting that European political chiefs will take advantage of Brexit by unveiling a long-held plan to morph the continent’s countries into one ‘giant super-state’. Pray for God to thwart any plans rooted in mammon and for the wellbeing of all areas of society to be well thought-out by politicians. This week the US secretary of state, John Kerry, visited the UK to meet David Cameron and the foreign secretary Philip Hammond. He urged all EU leaders not to ‘lose their heads’ and take revenge on the UK after its decision to leave, saying there is a need for ‘wise choices’ or else the pressure for EU disintegration will intensify.
Ukraine: historic national day of prayer
For the first time in Ukraine’s history, all the churches of the country came together for a National Day of Prayer for their nation in Kiev. It was attended by thousands and broadcast ‘live’ by three national TV channels. An especially enthusiastic welcome was given to East Ukraine church leaders and the leader of Ukraine’s Messianic Jewish Community. It was a far cry from the media images of politicians fighting in parliament, Russian tanks, corruption, economic stagnation, and a civil airliner being shot down. Ukraine’s history, culture and language are closer to Russia than any other country. The Russian Orthodox Church comes from what is now Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians prayed for Russia and President Putin! For Russia, Ukraine is in the blood. For Ukraine, Russia is in the blood. Even Mr Putin’s first name, Vladimir, is Ukrainian in origin.
Lebanon: suicide bombers attack Christian village
Eight suicide bombers attacked a Lebanese Christian village in the latest violent spillover of the Syrian war into Lebanon. Security sources believe IS was responsible for the bombings in Qaa village, on Lebanon’s border with Syria. The first wave of attacks involved four suicide bombers at 4am, killing five civilians. A bomber blew himself up after being confronted by a resident, then the other three detonated their bombs as people arrived at the scene. Four soldiers were among the wounded. A second series of attacks, involving four bombers, took place in the evening as residents were preparing the funerals of those killed earlier. Two blew themselves up outside a church. Residents were urged to stay at home and shoot anyone suspicious.There is now a curfew on Syrian refugees in the area. Medics said five were killed and fifteen injured and that they had entered an episode from hell. On 24 June Hezbollah warned of car bombs being prepared in the border area between Syria and Lebanon.
USA: Trump a 'baby Christian'?
One of America's leading evangelicals, James Dobson, claims to know the person who ‘fairly recently’ led presidential candidate Donald Trump to accept a relationship with Jesus Christ. This week Dobson called Trump a ‘baby Christian’ and said, ‘We all need to be praying for him.’ Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and one of the most prominent social conservatives in the United States, gave his account at a meeting Trump had in New York on Tuesday with hundreds of evangelicals. Dobson was part of a small group that met privately with Trump later on Tuesday and said that if he has had a religious rebirth he is still learning the ropes: ‘He refers a lot to religion, and not much to faith and belief.’ This claim has been compared to how former US President George W Bush captured vigorous support from evangelical voters by his claim of having been born again.
Turkey: airport suicide bombings
On Wednesday, Europe’s third busiest airport, Ataturk, was attacked by three suicide bombers, leaving 41 dead and 239 wounded. They were in the arrivals hall when Turkish security officials stopped them. When they began shooting AK-47 rifles, the officers returned fire. A police officer wrestled one to the ground before he blew himself up in a bombing coordinated with two other suspects. The gunmen appeared to be trying to reach the area where the planes are. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was due to land there when the attack occurred. Rama is overseeing a crackdown on a small but devoted group following IS. A hundred or so Albanians have travelled to the Middle East to join IS. Airports are tantalising targets as they are designed to allow international access, with open planning that has many people in a confined space. An attack creates headlines and fear into people globally. President Erdogan proclaimed the attack ‘will not divide or split our country.’