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
Pray for Schools fortnight
05 May 2011
The vision of Pray for Schools fortnight, 8-23rd May, is to bring together people from local churches and those involved in education – parents, students, teachers, meals supervisors, Governors and anyone else with a heart for young people – to pray strategically for schools in their area and those involved in them. They have developed resources for the fortnight around ‘Praying the Bible’. Also a brand new video will be available to download and show at your event. Pray for Schools in Wales which is teaming up with 24/7 prayer to cover Wales in prayer. A week of continuous prayer for schools is planned for the 8-15th May, and you can choose your slot and sign up at Pray for Schools fortnight is supported by CARE, Youth for Christ, Scripture Union, New Generation, Churches Together England, The Association of Christian Teachers – and Christians all over the UK who want to pray for schools. Pray: strategically for the schools in your area, those who have influence over our young people. (Ac.2:17) More: http://www.prayforschools.org/events/pfs-events/pray-for-schools-fortnight/
Pray for our new parliament
24 May 2010Last week’s general election has brought a change in the political direction of our nation and is being heralded as a ‘new era’. The new partnership has the potential to cause our government to re assess commitments and look again at previously rejected options. As the new members of parliament step into their roles of authority let us pray that decisions made are based on sound biblical values full of truth and justice, and not driven by political convenience or attractive presentations. Many of our politicians now need God’s wisdom and vision for a prosperous and peaceful society. Christain Concern for our Nation are asking Christians to pray for those elected to parliament asking that they may be good governors; giving thanks for the Christian MPs amongst them and to bathe them in prayer so they may stand firm in the truth of the gospel from the outset.
Pray: that the LORD would have mercy on our nation, turning hearts to Him and raising up godly leaders. (Ro.15:5)
Posters declare ‘Sharia zone’ in east London
26 Jul 2011Islamic extremists have put up posters in an east London borough declaring it a ‘Sharia controlled zone’. The posters boldly claim: ‘You are entering a Sharia controlled zone. Islamic rules enforced.’ Underneath are images indicating that smoking, alcohol and music are banned. The posters are understood to have been discovered in the borough of Tower Hamlets last week, and they are identical to ones found in the boroughs of Waltham Forest and Newham. A police spokeswoman said: ‘Officers are working closely with the local authority to have the posters removed as soon as possible.’ The posters come as a Bill in the House of Lords seeks to stop Sharia law taking root as a parallel legal system. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, who grew up in Pakistan and is the former Bishop of Rochester, is backing the Bill. He said: ‘The problem with Sharia is that it is inherently unequal for certain kinds of people.’
Pray: for the authorities to work quickly to stop the actions of such extremists in the UK. . (Ho.10:4)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/posters-declare-sharia-zone-in-east-london/
Postcard campaign to find new priests
02 Jun 2011
The Church in Wales will be handing out postcards this Sunday as part of a major drive to boost the number of vicars. The bilingual cards invite people to think about whether they, or anyone else they know, would consider a career in the Church in Wales. Those interested can respond to the calling using the postcard. As well as the postcards, special prayers will be said for people considering ordination and a website will be launched to help those who want to find out more about vocations. The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron, who spearheads the Church’s vocations strategy, said that with a third of the clergy - 166 - due to retire in the next five years, the Church was facing a ‘growing need’ to find more ministers. ‘God has not stopped calling people but we need to search out and develop new ways of identifying leaders to sustain our life,’ he said. Pray: that in this busy, noisy world, there will be those that hear the 'still, small voice of calm' calling them to a different way of life. (Ps.95:7) More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/postcard.campaign.to.find.new.priests/28067.htm
Portsmouth: year’s worship in one day
11 Nov 2010
Portsmouth Cathedral has held its first ‘24 Hours of Worship’. Churchgoers worshipped in a different style each hour, including prayer, praise, music, reflection, healing, and silence, beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday 5 Nov and ending at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The event was the idea of the diocesan youth and children’s work adviser, Ben Mizen, who joined forces with the City Centre Pioneer Minister, the Rev Mark Rodel, and the diocesan liturgy and worship group, to celebrate the main festivals of the church calendar in one day, beginning with Advent and ending with Pentecost. Groups known to have a unique style of worship were invited to take part. The 13th-century chapel of St Thomas was used for plainsong lauds at 2 a.m., and a healing service at 7 a.m. The nave was used for a Christmas Taizé Eucharist; an episcopal Eucharist, led by the new Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster; and for psalms chanted by the congregation. The chior was used for a choral Passion. Pray: this event in Portsmouth will strengthen the congregation’s faith and be a light to others. (Ac.4:24)
Christians in the Diocese of Portsmouth are hoping to reach out to churchgoers in need of new inspiration as well as people who would describe themselves as spiritual yet do not go to church. They are inviting passers-by, tourists and worshippers to drop into the city's Anglican cathedral for its spirituality fair, which will host prayer stations, workshops and meditations on April 17. Organisers say they hope the 'Be Still' fair will inspire people to worship God in new ways and help those who rarely experience Christian spirituality. Also on offer will be poetry as a spiritual aid, the role of the senses in Christian spirituality, what the Bible has to say and a prayer tent. There will be a traditional labyrinth laid out in the centre of the building – a medieval maze that encourages contemplation. Workshops through the day include prayer and movement, weaving and sculpture.
Pray: for visitors to this special event that they will learn more of and feel closer to God. (Ps.46:10)