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Marriage is not dead but a force for good in society, and something which churches should do their bit to support, according to the secretary of state for work and pensions. Speaking at the launch of Marriage Week UK on Tuesday, the Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP called marriage ‘our most basic institution’ and said it was now an important political topic not to be shied away from. He said: ‘The financial costs of family breakdown are incredibly high. But what is most painful to see is the human cost - the wasted potential, the anti-social behaviour, and the low self-esteem.’ Speaking at the launch at the House of Commons, Mr Duncan Smith added: ‘The commitment of two people to put selfish interest to one side for the sake of each other and the children they raise is simply the very best of us as human beings’. Pray: for all the activities promoting Christian marriage during this Marriage Week. (Heb.13:4)
A new poll has found that most young people do not plan to get married before starting a family. Their thinking has been put down to uncertainty over the cost of living and the current job market and reflects a very different understanding of settling down to that of their parents. 54 per cent say they do not expect to be married before having their first child, according to the research by Santander Insurance. Only 45 per cent believe they will own their own home before having children and only four in ten expect to begin parenthood with a secure job or a regular income. Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, commented: “The link in people’s minds between marriage and having children has been severed. This is not for the best. Research, such as that done by the Centre for Social Justice, has repeatedly shown that family breakdown is far less likely when parents are married.
Pray: for a wider understanding of the benefits of marriage particularly in family life. (Eph.5:33)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/family/marriage-not-a-priority-for-prospective-parents
On Wednesday, the House of Lords voted against a motion which would have vetoed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill by 390 votes to 148. Whilst this is disappointing, there are grounds for hope as we approach Committee Stage. Many Peers said that although they had serious misgivings about the Bill they did not feel able as members of an unelected House to vote it down at this stage. However, some of these Peers indicated support for amendments and did not write off the possibility of voting against the Bill at a later stage. Far from being the end of the battle in the Lords, Wednesday's vote was just the beginning. We were very grateful for some excellent speeches on Monday and Tuesday. Please click on ‘More’ to see an analysis of the vote and excerpts from some of the speeches given by Peers supporting the current legal definition of marriage.
Pray: for the ongoing work of parliament as it seeks support for amendments. (Job.12:12)
Turning the tide of marriage and family breakdown is impossible. Is it? This is the theme of the Family Education Trust AGM and Conference this year. Sir Paul Coleridge, who is a senior judge in the Family Division of the High Court, and who has argued that promoting marriage as ‘the gold standard’ of family structures is long overdue, will address the conference. Also speaking will be Dr Arik Sigman who is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He will be talking about his book ‘The Spoilt Generation: restoring adult authority in child development’. Lisa Bullivant will also be speaking about her bold public stand against inappropriate sex education at her daughter’s primary school. The Family Education Trust AGM and Conference is being held this Saturday 26 June in London. Pray: for those attending this conference, that they and others will receive informed opinion on the restoration of family and marriage. (1Ti.3:4)
Baroness Margaret Thatcher, who died on Monday aged 87, was a leader of conviction and much of that conviction rooted in her Christian faith. Daughter of a Methodist lay preacher, her political views were shaped by her religious beliefs. How these two fused together in her mind was outlined in a memorable 1988 speech to the Church of Scotland, a speech with which she explained the Christian basis for her political convictions. She began the speech by telling her audience that she was speaking ‘personally as a Christian, as well as a politician.’ Her speech not only reaffirmed the Christian inspiration for her political views, it also illuminated her conviction that Britain's Christian heritage was worthy of preserving. One of her most memorable quotes for many Christians comes from the words she spoke from the steps of 10 Downing Street after coming to power in 1979. Based on the Prayer of Saint Franc is, she said: ‘Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.’ Click the ‘More’ link and read tributes from many Christian leaders.
Pray: that Margaret Thatcher’s spiritual example and legacy will be adhered to by her successors. (1Pet.2:21)
More: http://www.christianto day.com/article/margaret.thatcher.the. politician.and.christian/32082.htm
Whether traditional in form or an innovative fresh expression, the common task of the church is to help people to see God, themselves and the world as never before. So said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at a Fresh Expressions conference held in Oxford on Friday to explore the question of how the ‘mixed economy’ of church might work in practice. Mixed economy is a term first coined by Dr Williams referring to the coexistence of fresh expressions and ‘inherited’ forms of church. Addressing Fresh Expressions practitioners from across the UK, the Archbishop explained his vision of the mixed economy as one in which churches in their various forms work alongside one another in helping people encounter Jesus, and discipling them at whatever stage in their faith journeys they may be at. The Archbishop suggested that the starting point for every church and every fresh expression was the encounter between Jesus and others. Pray: for the church as it considers how best to spread the Gospel message to widely diverse audiences. (Mk.16:15)
A new poll by ComRes has found that a massive 83% of church-going Christians in the UK are opposed to plans by the Conservative Party to legalise homosexual marriage, and 57% of all respondents are ‘less likely to vote’ for the party because of this move.
The poll results are likely to be viewed as very concerning by the Conservative Party, as church-going Christians represent several million votes. The poll found that: 83% were opposed to homosexual marriage; 93% were concerned that clergy would have to conduct homosexual marriages against their consciences; 85% that the value of marriage would be further undermined; 88% that schools would be required to teach the equal validity of same-sex and heterosexual relationships. Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said: ‘God has ordained that marriage is between one man and one woman. These truths are timeless and are for the benefit of mankind. We ignore them at our peril.’
Pray: for the sanctity of marriage as based on Biblical truths to be preserved. (Heb.13:4)
Further to our report in last week’s Prayer Alert that Manchester Cathedral was to host a new age festival, it has come to light that the reports were not accurate and had been sensationalised by much of the media including our source. The Spirit of Life is a Christian festival offering a balanced programme of different spiritual traditions including Taize, choral evensong and contemporary spiritualities. There will be workshops that will provide Christian perspectives and offerings on how ancient spirituality meets contemporary culture at this unique event. The event offers a clear Christian alternative to the usual Mind, Body Spirit events with performances, meditations, stalls and workshops throughout the day. There will be no tarot card reading or fortune telling at the event. All contributors are Christians, many of them by ordained clergy, nuns, Catholics or evangelicals and all have undergone a rigorous application process by the organisers. Pray: that the truth will out and all who attend will find that truth by the revelation of God’s Holy Spirit. (Gal.1:11) More: http://www.manchestercathedral.org/events/73/the-spirit-of-life
Most people support the idea of holding a referendum to decide whether marriage should be redefined, a new poll has shown. In a recent survey commissioned by the Coalition for Marriage, 54 per cent agreed that redefining marriage should be put to a public vote. Of those surveyed, only 26 per cent disagreed with the idea of a referendum of the people. The Coalition for Marriage, which campaigns against the Government redefining marriage, says the results aren’t surprising. Campaign director Colin Hart said: ‘This poll follows a series of bad news stories for the PM’s profoundly undemocratic plans.’ He added, ‘ordinary men and women have never been able to cast a vote on the issue as neither the Conservatives, Lib Dems, or Labour included this proposal in their manifestos and they are fed up with being told it is going to happen regardless of what the majority of people in this country believe.’
Pray: for the political leaders that they will listen to the majority of the people and allow for a referendum on redefining marriage.
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/majority-want-gay-marriage-referendum-poll-shows/
Government welfare and tax changes, together with lower than forecast wage growth, will leave the majority of children in the UK living in families below the breadline by 2015, according to new Trades Union Congress research. Tax and welfare reforms alone - both existing and future changes - will be responsible for nearly half a million more children living below the breadline, says the TUC. In 'A Bleak Future For Families', the research finds that the cumulative impact of government policies and slower than forecast wage growth over the course of this parliament will mean that 690,000 more children will be living below the minimum income standard - the level of income needed to achieve a minimum acceptable standard of living in the UK - by 2015. TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Families are suffering the tightest squeeze in their living standards in nearly a century.” See also last week's Prayer Alert 'Archbishop of Canterbury attacks Government welfare reforms'.
Pray: for Government to ensure that children are not adversely affected by economic policies. (Pr.19:17)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18176