Church is changing England with free education
The Church of England is opening free Christian schools. They will be a way for the Church to have a voice in an increasingly secular government, a voice many secular leaders want diminished. England's new initiative to open 500 free schools for underprivileged children has been derided by many critics as a poor decision, but the Church sees it as an opportunity to teach children the Christian faith. The schools are funded by the government but can be set up and run by charities, parents, trusts, businesses, teachers, or religious groups. That is why the Church has set its sights on opening 125 faith schools across the country during the next four years. They currently run 10. ‘This is a moment to be bold and ambitious and offer more than an apologetic for church schools but a vision for education,’ said Bishop Stephen Conway, Chair of the Church’s Board of Education .
UK Disability Rights Are ‘A Badge of Shame’
David Isaac, the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, described disability rights in the UK as ‘a badge of shame’, saying that disabled people are discriminated against in every area of life – from transport to housing and employment. He has called for a new national focus on disability rights so that disabled people are no longer treated as ‘second class citizens’. He is calling on the government to show stronger leadership by implementing all remaining provisions in the Equality Act without delay to allow better access to transport, housing and representation in politics for disabled people. He has also called on restaurants, theatres, concert venues, sports stadia and all those providing services to raise their game so that the disabled are not disadvantaged. Denying access to a large customer base is not good business practice and large venues must make it easier for disabled customers to access and buy tickets.
Home for Good
The last five years have seen a significant increase in the number of unaccompanied children leaving their homes and claiming asylum in the UK because of war, persecution or lack of safety in their country of birth. Because of the ongoing crisis in Syria and violence in the Middle East and North Africa, the UK Government has been working with a number of organisations and agencies to welcome refugee children. Home for Good is just one of them. These organisations are involved in meeting the need for foster carers who are ready to welcome an unaccompanied asylum seeking child into their home. But they need people to volunteer to become foster carers. Pray for more individuals to register their interest in fostering to local authorities and agencies across the country.
Archbishop welcomes refugee community sponsorship scheme
Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Archbishop Justin Welby launched the Full Community Sponsorship scheme at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday morning. Justin Welby has welcomed this new scheme to allow community groups to sponsor a refugee family directly. Archbishop Justin Welby said the scheme would allow churches and other civil society groups ‘to provide sanctuary to those fleeing war-torn places.’ It will enable charities, faith groups, churches and businesses to take on the role of supporting resettled refugees in the UK.
Justin said, ‘Refugees, like all people, are treasured human beings made in the image of God who deserve safety, freedom and the opportunity to flourish. It is an enormous privilege to welcome a family to live in a cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace.’
Changes in offices of state
Prime Minister Theresa May made six senior appointments - Foreign Office, Chancellor, Defence, Home Office and two new post-Brexit positions - Secretary of State for Brexit and Secretary of State for International Trade. BORIS JOHNSON heads the Foreign Office. He speaks five languages, including German and Russian. The latter will be helpful as he pursues positive engagement with Russia. Like Theresa May, he is pro-Israel. PHILIP HAMMOND is Chancellor of the Exchequer. Pray for him to have the great wisdom and vision that job needs at any time, but especially at this time. MICHAEL FALLON - Secretary of State for Defence. Pray for a Defence Secretary who is a man of peace and whose strength is in the Lord. He voted against ‘gay marriage’ and doctor-assisted dying. AMBER RUDD - Home Secretary voted against having a referendum at all. She voted for ‘gay marriage’ and military action in Syria. Pray for her wisdom and discernment as she holds this vital office of state. DAVID DAVIS, a veteran parliamentarian, is Secretary of State for Brexit. He is opposed to the EU and gay marriage. Pray for God to lead him as he negotiates our exit with the European Union . LIAM FOX, the new Secretary of State for International Trade, will be responding to nations across the world who want trade deals with the UK. Pray that we will do more for fair trade and that overseas aid is given wisely.
Plane crash survivor's miraculous tale of faith
‘I have looked death in the eye and sat and glanced over the edge of eternity and I have to say, I believe that death is nothing to fear because I know that this life will just usher in the next life.’ Helen Young Hayes boarded United Airlines Flight 232 in Denver, bound for Chicago. That flight never made it. It suffered catastrophic failure of its tail-mounted engine and crashed in Sioux City, Iowa. Miraculously, Hayes survived. Now she is publicly sharing her remarkable story of faith. ‘I remember every minute of it as vividly as if it were last week!’ Hayes told CBN News. The harrowing experience tested the faith of the successful money manager seated in row 9, seat B. Armed with faith, she prayed the impossible. To read her story of how God led her to pray exactly what was needed at the time, and how He answered her prayers, click the ‘More’ button.
China: Next generation coming to Christ
China's next generation is turning to Christianity, looking to the Church for answers to life's big questions. Christian leaders are hopeful this generation will bring their nation closer to God. Twenty-four million people live in Shanghai and 3/4 of them are Millennials - between the ages of 20 and 33. Many are joining the Christian community. One study from the Chinese Education Department found that 62% of China's religious believers are aged between 19 and 39. To cope with societal pressure they are turning to spirituality. ‘One day, my friend invited me to church after work. It was new to me. As I listened to the music, all of a sudden, I felt so peaceful. I felt something special,’ Li Gang, a young believer said. Another youth said, ‘Now, I am a Christian. I am not afraid of anything. Jesus is always with me. I am not alone when I face difficulties. I won't see church as a building, it means a family to me,’
How to pray over the UK
Watching and Prayer over the UK following the EU Referendum
We now find ourselves in a period of tremendous political, economic and social change in our UK nations. This is a new time; a time of mercy and a time of shaking. We believe this is a historically significant watershed moment for our UK nations and for Europe. The EU Referendum campaign and result has exposed deep fractures in our society in all of our UK nations.
Now is the time when God is calling His people to humbly come before Him, seek His face, turn from our wicked ways and to pray. Now is the time to persevere and not to give up. Now is the time for us together, as God's people across our UK nations, to pray in unity for God to fulfil His purposes for our nations.
We commend 1 Timothy 2:1-3 as a basis for our praying as we stand guard over our elected leaders that they may give Godly leadership and so provide stability across our nations and in our communities to allow the gospel to be shared and for many people to discover faith in Jesus Christ.
HOW TO PRAY
For our elected governmental leaders:
In Scotland: Pray for Nicola Sturgeon and for wisdom and patience for the Scottish (SNP) Government, as they seek to deal with the results of the vote; especially that they will work positively with the UK Government and seek not only what is best for the people of Scotland, but also what is best for all peoples in the UK in these uncharted, challenging times.
In Northern Ireland: Pray for Arlene Foster and NI politicians for wisdom, for courage, for grace and positive leadership at this time. There is a genuine fear of the peace process being affected; a fear of the progress that has been made in moving forward toward a 'Shared Future' being undermined, a fear of the unknown. There is concern over how this will affect our relationship with the Republic of Ireland. Will there once again be border and custom checks? Pray for God's people to be in position and for His peace to replace fear.
In Wales: Pray for Carwyn Jones; for unity within the Welsh Assembly and for wisdom especially in handling the financial implications of leaving the EU that could affect the elderly and the poor.
In Westminster:
Prime Minister - Theresa May - for calm leadership, for wise advisors and for her faith to guide her day by day.
Chancellor - Philip Hammond Chancellor - that he will have wisdom, authority and boldness to expose evil financial practices, tax abuse and manipulation and corruption.
Home Secretary - Amber Rudd - for divine authority to keep our nation safe and administer true justice.
Labour shadow cabinet - that as they are shaken we will have an effective, wise and righteous opposition.
For the Church:
Pray that the Church will 'rise up' (Isaiah 60:1) and take a positive lead in promoting reconciliation, both within communities where needed and between the nations of the UK that in these uncertain times, especially at this moment of economic uncertainty, many will open up to the hope and certainty of the Gospel.
For Europe:
As we stand shoulder to shoulder with France in the aftermath of the attack in Nice, we continue to pray protection for France, for God's blessing and for her church to be strengthened and equipped to be carriers of hope and peace.
We ask for God's continued mercy and protection on our nations and wisdom for our security forces
We have compiled a list of resources available to help you post-referendum.
Can you support financially?
We asked for people to pray with us in June as we face a drop in our finances and a significant rise in our activity. We believe we are at a spiritual tipping point and that WPC is being called to extend its overseas work and impact (we have been asked to lead some times of significant national and international breakthrough). In the UK we are bringing the prayer movements together, working as watchers to understand the changing spiritual picture in the nation and provide increased numbers of prayer resources for individuals, small groups and churches. Increasingly we are providing up-to-ate, accessible and daily prayer information. We also run a range of prayer events including the new Trumpet Call event at the ICC.
We felt that it was important to let people stand with us and pray. As a prayer ministry we have to be prepared to take our challenges to God. We were delighted by the warm response and support and have received about £8000 to date. Our target is to get £8000 a month additional income to carry the day-by-day work and £30,000 to enable trumpet call. So we are praying for a financial breakthrough – or we will run out of money in the coming months. We want to have a great giving testimony and give glory to God.
Can you give £5 or £10 a month to help us continue to mobilise prayer for our nations and equip people to pray? Become a monthly giver.
Would you like to help make our nect Trumpet Call event possible? Make a donation.
Could you fundraise for us? Find out more.
We thank you in advance for your support!
There is no panic in heaven!
There is no panic in heaven!
A major part of our calling in WPC is to pray for many people in the world, probably the majority, who live in one form of crisis or another. The result of all this crisis is that millions of displaced people are desperately searching for safety and hope; children and young people are being used as trade-offs in evil negotiations and fear and panic grip many people's hearts even in so called affluent societies.
We also have a duty and privilege to remind everyone in every form of communication at our disposal, that Jesus Christ the Light of the world, is Sovereign over all. Today in this same world, the light of Christ is shining forth in the power of the Holy Spirit through the church - the Body of Christ, so that every day thousands upon thousands from every tribe, every people group, every religion and creed are becoming followers of Jesus.
Every day we, as part of God's family around the world, from the rising of the sun to its setting, join with countless millions worshiping and praising God. In every continent the Kingdom of God is advancing, light dispelling darkness, faith overcoming fear and praise replacing despair.
Today with you, we stand in unity with our brothers and sisters in this global village, in the Middle East, across Africa, across Asia, across the Western world and say together, that by His Grace and Mercy we are not slaves to fear, we are not controlled by the warmongers, the traffickers, the financial institutions, or any power in the heavens above, we are sons and daughters of our Father in whose Kingdom there is no panic.
Written by Ian Cole, World Prayer Centre