Repentance isn't preached so much any more. We can dress up the concept in all sorts of fancy terms for those who do not yet believe. It seems offensive to tell people who live in a self-centred, self-sufficient society that they need to recognise they are sinners and surrender to Jesus. But that’s the gospel, the good news, the pearl of great price. Our salvation costs us everything - but gives us so much more. It is also worrying that we do not now talk much about holding short accounts with God. We don't often acknowledge that as fallen humans we have a tendency to sin, and as Christians we still have to face that battle every day. Also, what about keeping our hearts softened towards the Holy Spirit, so that we can hear his whispers? When editing Bible study notes I was asked to find alternatives words for 'sin' and 'repentance', because they might turn readers off. I understand the need to be relevant, but teaching that strikes at the heart is exactly what’s needed.

There is an active community of Christians from both houses of parliament who regularly pray, worship and study the Bible together. A strong focus at the moment is Brexit. We can pray for the responsibilities of office and the difficulties of decision-making to be made clear through God’s anointing on individuals and their commitment to stand and state their convictions based on God’s Word. Pray for the wise use of money and resources, for the opposition parties in the task of constructively holding the government to account, and for Christian MPs’ faith to grow. Pray for policy issues abroad, asking God to create constructive relationships between nations and their representatives, and for grace, wisdom and discernment in their dealings with each other. Pray also for domestic policy issues, and for Government responsibilities towards those in education, health, police, the armed forces, social and welfare services. Pray for them to handle issues of terrorism, its threat and its causes, with great wisdom.

The Brussels summit, which brought together the leaders of all EU member states, did not particularly focus on the UK's Brexit. The official agenda was dominated by migration, trade and Russia. However, Brexit still loomed large, particularly at a working dinner last night, where Mrs May gave a brief ‘Brexit update’. Open discussion has been ruled out but Brexit will remain the red, white and blue elephant in the room during all the official discussions tabled at this summit. There is a distinct hardening of attitudes, even amongst Britain's closest EU allies like Germany. Leading Brexiteers boast confidently that Europe's most powerful nation is bound to push hard for a good EU deal for the UK. They cite German self-interest and a four-letter word - cars. The UK is Germany's third largest export market, while one in five German cars is sold in Britain. See:

The Archbishop of Canterbury met for the first time with His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, amid what Lambeth Palace acknowledged are ‘tensions’ between Russia and the UK. Earlier, Welby and the Bishop of London were present as the Queen hosted the Patriarch at Buckingham Palace. The relationship between the two churches has endured for more than three centuries. The two men discussed the persecution of Christians around the world, especially in the Middle East. In a statement they acknowledged that tensions currently exist between the governments of their two countries, but they agreed that the first loyalty of the Christian Church is to the Lord Jesus Christ, and they affirmed that reconciliation is the key ministry of the Church in situations of conflict.