Is marriage worth defending?
24 Mar 2011
By many measures, marriage has weakened in our society over the past two generations. Fewer people marry. More people divorce. Increasing numbers of people move through a series of sexual relationships without ever forming a lasting marriage. Not only the practice but also the understanding of marriage has shifted. Our society’s view of marriage, centred on mutual emotional satisfaction, is already far from classic Christian teaching. Now pro-homosexuality advocates are seeking to radically redefine the institution, reducing it to a relationship between any ‘two people who love each other’. Amidst all this conflict, is it worth the cost for Christians to continue to defend and promote this embattled institution? The Bible teaches that God brought together man and woman for the good of all humankind. Marriage is the most basic building block of human society. Almost every known culture distinguishes the marriage of man and woman from other relationships. Pray: that marriage would be restored to its rightful place in our society as God intended. (Heb.13:4) More: http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2011/03/22/is-marriage-worth-defending-2/
Irish Inter Faith Workshop
25 Feb 2013A Workshop on Inter Faith Engagement will be held this weekend, in the Chapel of St Columbanus in NUI Galway. Organized by the Church of Ireland’s Inter Faith Working Group, the workshop will be based around the Porvoo Communion’s study guide, ‘Keys to Inter Faith Engagement’. The Porvoo Communion is a communion of thirteen mainly northern European Anglican and Lutheran Churches, including the Church of Ireland. The aim of the ‘Keys’ document, and of the Workshop, is to enable people to consider the situation where they live with their neighbours from different faith communities, and to support and develop inter faith dialogue. The Workshop will be led by Canon Andrew Wingate. The founding Director of the St Philip’s Centre for Study and Engagement in Leicester, he is now a consultant and teacher in the area of inter faith relations, particularly in Scandinavia. He was a member of the group which prepared ‘Keys to Inter Faith Engagement’.
Pray: for all those attending the workshop and for inter-faith engagement in Galway and elsewhere. (Jude 3)
More: http://ireland.anglican.org/news/4479
Irish flee 'Celtic Tiger' for a better life
25 Nov 2010
Young Irish, in particular, hope that emigration isn't their only option, but amid news of the Ireland bailout, some aren't waiting around. Many of them are expressing deep concerns about their futures. Andrew Murphy, a recent university graduate, has taken an internship at the European Commission in Brussels and doubts he will find permanent work at home. Ruth McNally, another recent graduate, is living on unemployment benefits. ‘Two of my friends are going to teach English in Korea.’ There is a sense of despair that has taken hold and a feeling of humiliation among many as Ireland seeks help from the rest of Europe. During good times, Ireland, for the first time in its history, was a destination for migrants seeking to make their fortune. Now, Ireland is again supplying labour to the rest of the world. Pray: that the economic pressures on Ireland will not depress the country’s joyful attitude to life. (1Pe.5:10)
The children's charity Barnardos has closed all of its offices and services in the Republic of Ireland for a week. It said the decision to close was taken in late 2011 as a cost-saving measure to protect services to children and families. Barnardos said the move is in response to increased financial pressure. The charity said it followed cuts to its statutory income and a decline in voluntary contributions. ‘Our first priority is the children and families we work with’ said Fergus Finlay Barnardos chief executive. ‘This cost cutting measure is the latest in a series of cuts Barnardos has had to make to ensure that we can continue to provide vital services to children and families at a time when they need us most.’
Pray: for the work of Barnardos that it will be enabled to meet the needs of children it helps. (Ps.55:22)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19255156
Ireland: Election on as 30th Dáil ends
10 Feb 2011
The dissolution of the 30th Dáil has brought an end to the Irish Government’s slow and ignominious decline. During close on four years, the Coalition parties lost control of the economy; then lost public confidence and finally lost faith in each other. It began with the demise of the Progressive Democrats, continued with the forced resignation of Bertie Ahern, accelerated with the banking and building collapse, continued with the International Monetary Fund/European Union bailout and ended with the resignation of the Green Party. The seeds of destruction were sown before Mr Cowen took charge, as the taxation base was deliberately narrowed and bank lending and public spending soared. His Government’s response was weak and indecisive. The banking guarantee was given and defended by Government on the basis of spurious information. From there, it was all downhill. Pray: that the Irish people will be given wisdom and His revelation over their decisions. (Eph.2:17a) More: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0202/breaking10.html
The Iona Community is continuing its work in tackling poverty as it enters its 75th anniversary and the 1450th anniversary of Columba’s landing on the island. Iona Community Board Convener Allan Gordon. said: “In most nations today, the gap between rich and poor is widening. In Europe there is a discernible trend to portray benefits systems as burden rather than a safety net. “It has been a privilege for the Community to work alongside people on low incomes and benefits. In many instances we have done so in partnership at local and national area with the Church of Scotland Priority Areas Team and Faith in Community Scotland. The Community also collaborates with Church Action on Poverty and Christian Aid in awareness-raising and campaigning for fairer taxation and tax justice, and for effective financial regulation. Further joint initiatives are planned,” he added.
Pray: for Iona Community in their 75th anniversary year, for their work and for those with whom they work. (Dt.15:10 )
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18429
The introduction of web filters to make adults who want to view pornography ‘opt in' is to be considered by the Government. David Cameron has intervened to insist a default block on porn, deactivated only when users make an active choice to have it switched off, is put back on the table. Today he will announce a consultation on whether to introduce automatic filters, or a less stringent system which would mean people would have to make an ‘active choice' on whether or not to view explicit sites when they sign up with an internet service provider. There is growing alarm about the impact of sexual content on the internet on Britain’s children. Research suggests as many as one in three under-tens has seen pornography on the web, while four in every five children aged 14 to 16 admit regularly accessing explicit images and video footage on their home computers. (See Prayer Alert 17-2012)
Pray: for our Prime Minister and the authorities to be able to get a grip of this problem to protect the young. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.mediawatchuk.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=460&Itemid=117
International Day of Prayer for Peace
19 Sep 2013Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches calls churches and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. 21 September is also the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Peace. As it approaches, the World Council of Churches invites people to offer prayers for peace. This year we would like to invite you to pray for the upcoming World Council of Churches 10th Assembly. The theme of the assembly is a prayer for peace: ‘God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace’. Churches from all over the world will gather in Busan, South Korea, 30 October to 8 November 2013, for the event. We would like to ask you to pray the theme – pray it for the world, pray it for the church, pray it for the churches attending the WCC assembly, pray it with the assembly.
More: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace