Press 'need to act' after Leveson
08 Dec 2012The press have been urged to take action over Leveson Inquiry recommendations to regulate the newspaper industry. Lord Justice Leveson called for a new independent watchdog - which he said should be underpinned by legislation. Culture Secretary Maria Miller told the BBC ‘the gauntlet has been thrown down’ to newspapers to outline how they would set up tough self-regulation instead. Lord Justice Leveson's 2,000-page report into press ethics, published last Thursday, found that press behaviour was ‘outrageous’ and ‘wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people’. He said the press - having failed to regulate itself in the past - must create a new and tough regulator but it had to be backed by legislation to ensure it was effective. Following cross-party talks the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will begin the process of drawing up a draft bill implementing the Leveson recommendations.
Pray: that the press will take up the challenge by working together to fulfil the recommendations. (Ps.119:45)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20551634
Pre-abortion counselling could cut abortions
01 Sep 2011Members of the British Parliament are looking at a plan to require that all women in England considering an abortion undergo pre-abortion counselling - a move they say could stop as many as 60,000 abortions annually. Abortion counselling is currently only offered by abortion businesses, which have a financial incentive to ensure they do not talk women out of having an abortion by emphasizing the numerous alternatives available to them or offering any non-abortion pregnancy assistance. However, the proposed legal changes would have abortion businesses following laws similar to those in the United States that require them to mention other options. Such laws have proven to reduce abortions. Tory MP Nadine Dorries will file the amendment to the Health Bill later this week that would put the abortion counselling rules in place. ‘Abortion has become a factory-efficient process that denies women the right to independent, professional counselling,’ she said.
Pray: that this proposal will be successful and lead to many lives being saved. (Job.12:13)
Praying for HOPE 2014
12 Oct 2013We are praying that 2014 would be a consolidation year where churches will work together around the Christian calendar, festivals and new mission initiatives to bring good news to our lost and broken nations starting on 18 October 2013 to 31 January 2014. To launch this year of mission, World Prayer Centre and all the partners of HOPE 2014 are encouraging us to pray together with Christians around the country using the Prayer for Today Hope Daily Prayers (published by UCB). Using the prayers and themes when praying alone, in home groups, as a church, as groups of churches or in Christian organisations. Every Sunday there is a written prayer which can be used in worship services. This Season of Prayer starts on 18th October 2013 at the Excel Centre, London at the Festival of Life night of prayer hosted by Redeemed Christian Church of God where it is expected that 40,000 people will meet to pray.
Pray: that the Church would take up the challenge to pray and make this a consolidation year of mission. (Lk.2:10)
The BBC is reporting that Edinburgh City Council in Scotland is to stop holding prayers during its meetings, reports Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries. ‘The local authority will instead introduce a 10-minute ‘Pause for Reflection’ sessions before meetings of the full council,’ said their story. ‘Group leaders and the Lord Provost agreed unanimously to the move. The sessions will be open to all staff, councillors and visitors who would normally be attending the full council meeting.’ The BBC said that the sessions will take place in the main council chamber 10 minutes before the monthly Thursday meeting. The BBC Scotland news website revealed that the sessions will be delivered by representatives from a wide variety of civic and community interests, including faith and belief groups, civic institutions, community and voluntary sector organisations. ’After this, the city officers will bring in the ceremonial mace and sword to mark the official start of the meeting.’
Pray: against any further moves by local government to stop holding prayer sessions before meetings. (Ps.119:169-170)
Prayers in London for healing Britain
13 Jun 2010
Global Day of Prayer London convener Jonathan Oloyede calls on Christians to prepare for a National Day of Prayer at West Ham Stadium June 13 2.pm ‘As we have asked people to gather locally in our boroughs we're also asking the whole nation to come down to West Ham Stadium June 13 to prepare the nation for what is to come. We're asking God to open up a New Britain, that it no longer is to be Broken Britain, but for it to be healed. We're inviting churches to come to West Ham and send a delegation to come down as a church family and come and join thousands of other people as we pray ‘Lord heal our land.’ Worship leaders include Graham Kendrick, Noel Robinson, Godfrey Birtil, All Souls Orchestra and Beverley Trotman. ‘We're calling for every church in the nation to take one day in the month where they will pray and fast’ Pray: for God to move across our land bringing His Church into the unity of unceasing prayer for our communities and each other. (2Ch.7:14) More: http://www.gdoplondon.com/news/gdop_pentecost_prayers_to_heal_britain.htm
Prayers in Local Councils and Parliament
07 Oct 2011The Christian Peoples Alliance is opposing attempts to ban prayers at local council meetings. Two councils in East Sussex have been warned that Christian prayers are ‘not part of their duties’. The warnings come despite Christian prayer being part of the English constitution since Saxon times and said daily in the House of Commons since 1558. Mayfield Parish Council was issued the advice by the Sussex Association of Local Councils after voting to include a prayer session in its meetings. Councillors were told it was not appropriate and should be taken off the agenda. Former Newham Councillor, Alan Craig, said, ‘This demand is part of the secular-isation of our society. The most important thing is to get Christian values and Christian prayers back into our society and not take them away. Having Christian prayers is saying Christian values are good values for public life and a council meeting is a part of public life.’
Pray: for more, not less time to be spent in prayer each week in every borough and government meeting. (2Ch.7:14)
Prayer for ethics, corruption and justice
19 Jul 2013‘Ethics and Corruption’ is one of the Social Justice Issues of our time. Intercessory prayer is our responsibility to stand in the gap on behalf of the poor, the broken, the hopeless and the lost and to pray for God’s mercy to restore and transform, to make right what is wrong. The Bible is clear that God desires Christians to live just and ethical lives in every sphere of society – that includes our Church life, our business live, and our social and political life. As Christians we have a responsibility to live ethically in our personal lives, to encourage others to conduct themselves in a just and ethical manner in their sphere of influence, and to pray that God’s Kingdom, which is just, merciful, and gracious, is established in the world. Our prayer life should be the source from which we draw strength from God’s Spirit to do what is right in our homes, our community.
Pray: that as the people of God we pray that the Holy Spirit will anoint our prayers. (Micah 6:8)
More: http://www.worldea.org/prayer/2794/prayer-for-ethics-corruption-and-justice
Pray for the Armed Forces
20 Jun 2013The senior chaplains in the Armed Forces, together with the Armed Forces, bishops are encouraging congregations throughout the country to remember the men and women of the Armed Forces in their prayers, particularly on the Sunday after the Armed Forces Day. This is an important development of the vision of the Military Christian Organisations to get the nation praying, individually, in organisations, fellowships and churches in intercession for our Armed Forces and in support of our Chaplains. We are asked to pray that Churches throughout the nation will include prayer for the Armed Forces on Sunday 30 June following the Armed Forces Day and that this will become set into the church calendar.
Pray: for a nation-wide focus on the Armed Forces during the week leading up to this day and that Christians throughout the country will be praying daily for them. (1Th 5:16-18)
More: http://www.afcu.org.uk/docs/prayer_sheet_2013.pdf