David Cameron said atheist campaigner Richard Dawkins ‘just doesn’t really get it’ on the issue of faith schools. The Prime Minister made the comments as he answered questions from well-known figures for a Guardian newspaper article. Prof Dawkins asked the Prime Minister: ‘Why do you support faith schools for children who are too young to have chosen their faith?’. Mr Cameron responded: ‘I support faith schools on the basis of the proof that over the years they’ve been good schools. Why? Because the organisation that’s backing the school – the church or the mosque or the synagogue – is part of the community. It brings a sense of community and a sense of responsibility and the backing of an institution to a school. The church was providing good schools long before the state ever got involved, and we should respect the fact that it’s not just the state that can provide education – other bodies, too’.

Pray: that the Prime Minister's comments would bring reason to Prof Dawkins’ comments. (Dt.32:2)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/prime-minister-rebuts-dawkins-faith-school-attack/?utm_source=feedburner &utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+christianinstitute+%28The+Christian+Institute%29

A primary school teacher faced disciplinary action because she didn’t want to read to her class from a storybook about gay penguins. The teacher, who has not been named, works in a school in a London Borough and her case has been told to a committee of MPs looking the gay marriage Bill. Another teacher, from Scotland, says he was pressurised to promote gay marriage against his will and it contributed to a breakdown. The two teachers have remained anonymous because they fear for their careers, but have permitted a lawyer to outline their cases to Parliament. Top lawyers have warned the Government that its plans to redefine marriage could mean Christian teachers face the sack if they refuse to endorse gay marriage in the classroom. In January, a senior source in the Education Department admitted that the Government may be powerless to stop this happening.

Pray: for the protection of those who wish to abstain from the gay agenda in their workplaces. (Dt.31.6)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/primary-teacher-job-threat-over-gay-marriage-storybook/

Children as young as four are being removed from school for sexual misconduct, figures have revealed. They are among almost 15,000 youngsters who have been expelled or suspended for sex offences – including assaults on teachers – in the past five years. More than 1,100 were primary school children, some in reception classes. Boys aged just four have been kicked out of schools in Dorset, Yorkshire, Wiltshire and the West Midlands. Incidents in County Durham included indecent exposure and possessing sexual material. In Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, a boy of ten was suspended for inappropriately touching four pupils. Offences catalogued from all the figures included sexual abuse, assault, harassment, and lewd behaviour. The statistics were revealed in a Freedom of Information request made by The Sun answered by 148 of the 174 local education authorities in England and Wales.

Pray: that these shocking figures can be reversed and the Education Authorities find ways of dealing with the problem. (Ps.37:30)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/primary-school-kids-expelled-for-sexual-misconduct/

Eight of the world’s leading financial powers will work on advancing trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency during the 2013 G8 summit in Northern Ireland next week. The UK, which took the annual rotating presidency of the G8 in January, will host this year’s summit in Lough Erne, Fermanagh from June 17 to 18. The eight global leaders hoping to address international issues and tackle the most pressing global challenges, and ‘advance growth and prosperity across the world, include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the US and the UK President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy will represent the EU at the summit. In a May 12 editorial in the Wall Street Journal, Cameron called his agenda ‘pro-business and pro-development,’ citing his plan to cut Britain’s corporate tax rate to 20 percent, the lowest rate in the G7.

Pray:for the gathering of G8 leaders that they will be given wisdom and discernment to judge the needs of the peoples. (Is.58:10a)

More: http://www.neurope.eu/article/preview-2013-g8-summit

The “absurd and ridiculous” pressure to have a perfect Christmas puts relationships under strain and “spoils life”, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned. The Most Rev Justin Welby said consumerism over the festive period is now so “over the top” that couples are left arguing over money and children are shouted at. He said he would like to tell people to stop giving gifts altogether but accepts no one would listen. I want to say something positive, which is God gives us his son Jesus Christ to give us life and full life and abundant life. Giving at Christmas reflects that generosity of God. So be generous in a way that shows love and affection rather than trying to buy love and affection.” He added: “You can’t buy it, you can show it, and when you show it comes back at you with interest.” Figures last year suggested the average household spent around £1,000 on Christmas.

Pray: for more and more people to hear and live the Christmas message of the Gospels. (Mtt.6:33)

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10439197/Pressure-to-spend-at-Christmas-puts-families-under-too-much-strain-warns-Archbishop.html

The 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

Members 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)

More: http://www.lifenews.com/2011/08/29/britain-considering-pre-abortion-counseling-could-cut-abortions/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lifenews%2Fnewsfeed+%28
LifeNews.com%29

We 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)

More: http://www.worldprayer.org.uk/prayer/hope-prayer

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)

More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue16794.html