Displaying items by tag: Europe

Political parties need to get candidates in place before the deadline of 11 May. Any British, Irish or eligible Commonwealth citizen over 18 with £500 deposit can stand. Pray for God’s guidance for committees in the constituencies as they select candidates. Proverbs 22:29 says, ‘Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings, he will not stand before unknown men.’ Pray for men and women to be chosen who excel in their work. All of Labour’s 229 MPs were automatically re-selected, but 12 opted to stand down. Conservatives short-listed candidates for target seats without inviting applications: four MPs stood down. Liberal Democrats hope to have candidates in all seats by next week. UKIP’s selection process has begun; they hope to have candidates nationwide. Pray that there will be no manipulation or inappropriate ‘deals’ affecting choice in the 650 seats.

Satan has regular tactics. They have recurred across the ages. He loves to conceal himself. Therefore in our personal lives or national situation we could fail to spot him at work. We need to ask a simple question: is this situation creating fear, unbelief or uncertainty? Nationally, as the General Election approaches, there is a fear factor. We saw it dominating the arguments in the Referendum. We need to ask, ‘Is this the normal political hurly-burly or something more sinister?’ We can take a stance in our prayers and say ‘Lord, we stand against the spirit of fear, intimidation and manipulation’. We also see it in the fear of terrorist attacks. Terrorists create fear; we can pray for agents of fear to be brought into the light. Pray for God to enable the police and intelligence forces. Pray against the enemy’s lies and manipulation, particularly where potential terrorists are concerned.

The Church of England has about 4,700 schools, educating about one million children each year. A senior CofE official has suggested that parents should lose the right to withdraw their children from RE lessons, because it is being exploited by those who do not want their offspring to learn about Islam and by parents with ‘fundamentalist’ beliefs who do not want their children to learn other world views. Derek Holloway, head of RE in the CofE’s education office, said pupils risked being left with little understanding of religious belief and without the skills to live in a modern and diverse country. This is not confined to any one particular religion or area of the country. At present parents can insist that their children take no part in RE lessons and do not have to provide a reason. Schools must comply with their request.

Data released by the Metropolitan Police showed that the number of reported acid attacks in London rose by 74% in 2016; over 1,800 attacks involving corrosive fluid have been reported since 2010. Acid is a popular weapon for gangs, as it is easy to obtain and it can be difficult to identify the attacker. Schoolchildren are increasingly using acid as a weapon instead of knives. The attacks, known as ‘dosing’, happen when youths smuggle acid or ammonia into school hidden inside drinks bottles. One 18-year-old told the Sunday Times that many were using bottles of cheap household cleaner as weapons. He claimed he has carried acid since he was 12, and said that he could get it for £5 and mess someone’s whole life up. He added, ‘A lot of people ain’t got the heart to stab people. It’s just easier to squirt someone.’ The police are appealing for parents’ help in tackling the problem.

An email message from ‘Christians in Parliament’ says, ‘We have been encouraged by increasing numbers of people at our weekly chapel services, with guests preaching from Genesis, the parables of Jesus, and Ruth. During this hectic election period please pray that all Christian candidates will continue to trust the Lord and will find their identity in Him rather than in their political position. Pray that Christians will be elected who will seek to serve God and all people.’ Due to the general election, they have had to cancel some events, but they ask us to pray that when regular events resume the new chapel service series on ‘Faith or Fear’ from Mark’s Gospel, weekly Bible studies for MPs and staff, a dinner for Christian MPs, and afternoon tea in the House of Lords will all have God’s blessing. See also:

Yesterday the EU Brexit negotiation team had ‘constructive’ talks with Theresa May; tomorrow EU leaders will meet to adopt their joint negotiating position on Brexit. Downing Street described their talks as ‘constructive’, after Mrs May’s previous tough stance on key issues of freedom of movement. Also, Angela Merkel has told German MPs that the future EU / UK relationship can only be discussed once the problem of the UK payments to the EU budget has been resolved. Shortly after her speech, The EU trade commissioner stated that the EU will definitely reach a free trade deal with the UK after Brexit. The dates that the two ladies are working towards are: 29 April - EU members (excluding the UK) adopt Brexit negotiating guidelines. 8 June - UK election prior to Brexit talks. 24 September - German parliamentary election, with Mrs Merkel seeking a fourth term. 29 March 2019 - deadline for ending the talks on UK exit terms.

The day after Theresa May called a snap election, a declaration was posted on the website passionforthenation.uk. The following prayer is based on that declaration: ‘We decree that in every constituency, God’s purpose and God’s plans will be fulfilled. We come into agreement with God’s Word in Daniel 2: 21: “He (God) changes the times and the seasons, He removes kings and raises up kings, He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding.” We pray in Jesus’s name and declare that in the new Parliament, those and only those appointed by God will lead this nation. May they sound a distinct call, demonstrating vision, skill, and godly wisdom and understanding that others will follow. Proverbs 24:6 says, “You need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers”.’

Britain’s national newspapers are full of opinions, reports and analysis. The Daily Mail has an air of menace, the Sun and Telegraph proclaim Tory triumph, the Times and Guardian see bids for political strength. Some fear another general election will create instability in the country. Many voters already have ‘election fatigue’. Sources say Theresa May's manifesto will draw on inspiration from Thatcher's in 1979 - it will be short and 'tell a story'; Jeremy Corbyn said he will not play by the election rules, Nigel Farage is considering another bid to become an MP, and 750,000 people who turned 18 since the last election are now able to vote. Much prayer is needed for all who are canvassing to be men and women of wisdom and truth, for the voting public to hear the voices of wisdom above the clamour of half-truths and for the outcome on 8 June to be in line with God’s will for a United Kingdom.

A neurodegenerative disease causes the cells of the brain and spinal cord to be lost. The functions of these cells include decision-making and control of movements. Damaged and lost cells are not easily regenerated, so the effects of diseases are devastating for the sufferers of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and Huntington's. Sufferers pay the price of both emotional and physical pain. Caring for a relative with a neurodegenerative disease can be challenging and difficult, draining emotions and causing stress. However, scientists now believe they have found a drug to stop certain neurodegenerative brain diseases. In 2013 they stopped brain cells dying in an animal for the first time, but it was unsuitable for people. Now two similar drugs have been found which should have the same effect on people’s brains. Clinical trials are expected to start soon, and within two or three years we will know if they are effective and safe.

The Evangelical Alliance (EA) has called on Christians to 'fully engage' in the general election and speak hopefully with vision for the future. They will release resources to help churches discuss the opportunities and challenges facing society, structured around the themes of love, freedom, justice and truth. Steve Clifford, EA’s general director, said that this election provides a chance for Christians to take part in debating the future of our society. ‘It’s a chance for us to speak hope into a society that is so often searching for meaning. Between now and 8 June we can consider what the political parties are proposing, and the vision they are offering for our society. We can have a society that is more loving than it is now, we can live in greater freedom than we currently know, we can see justice as a lifestyle and not a soundbite, and rediscover the power of truth as the basis of a society working for the common good.’