The Archbishop of York has told Premier that clergy shouldn't be concerned about increasing security of UK churches as the responsibility lies with the police, the army and the Government. He was speaking following the killing of 84-year-old priest Fr Jacques Hamel, which led to the Met Police issuing guidance to churches. See last week’s Prayer-Alert - Church to review security arrangements. The Archbishop, who is the second most senior clergyman in the Church of England, says clergy should be focusing on being welcoming instead of worrying about security. He said, ‘That is really in the hands of both the police, the army and the Government - they're responsible for security. What we can do is make sure that we are loving of God and loving of neighbour without discrimination,’ and, ‘we're following a crucified Saviour and our job is to be as loving and sometimes as vulnerable as He was.’

Throughout history God has had His people in positions of authority; David, Daniel and Esther were just three people whom God was able to direct so that His purposes were fulfilled. This is still true today in the United Kingdom. There are Christians in our parliament. Click the ‘more’ button for their profiles. Theresa May is the daughter of a vicar and has regularly worshipped at St Andrew's Church in Sonning for many years. She has said that her Christian faith is an important part of her life. We can trust and pray that God is still in control of our nations and as in the times of David, Daniel and Esther He is and will be working his purposes out through His people as we negotiate and move in the direction he would take us with regards to the EU. We may not know who today's Esthers, Davids and Daniels are in Europe but we can be sure that they are there.

When the wind and the waves threatened to swamp a boat filled with refugees fleeing the Middle East, Jesus made a dramatic appearance to them and calmed the waters, saving their lives. A group of refugees fleeing the fighting in the Middle East were jammed into several pontoon boats, trying to cross the Aegean Sea to Greece. The seas were extremely rough and dangerous and some of the boats in this small armada capsized. The report is reminiscent of a storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mt.4:37). The refugees were afraid, just as Jesus’ fellow travellers had been . ‘The people in one boat cried out to God. Suddenly, a ‘shining heavenly figure’ appeared in the boat. The entire boat knew it was Jesus. Then something miraculous happened. Jesus calmed the storm! From that point the sea became calm and peaceful, and they finally landed safely on shore.’ This amazing account is from Erick Schenkel, executive director of the Jesus Film Project.

Intercessors have been praying for strength, wisdom, peace and revelation of Jesus in Palestine. God has answered! Palestinian believers are, for the first time, reading the Gospel! Until last year, only a few Bibles were available in Greek Orthodox churches. None were in homes. Most Palestinian Christians belong to these churches, where tradition is about sacraments and symbols. But now 20,000 Bibles are in the hands of Palestinian believers because of co-operation between the Palestinian Bible Society and the leadership of the Orthodox Church. Within 12 months of last year’s special edition printing of the Orthodox New Testament, all 20,000 Scriptures have been given out, mostly in the West Bank, Gaza and Israel. ‘This is a stream of Living Water flowing through the Orthodox Church. Revival is more likely to happen because the Word of God is available in a whole new way,’ said a Bible Society representative.