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The monarch and her family are spending part of their summer holiday this week sailing in the Western Isles of Scotland as a special commemoration of Princess Anne’s 60th and Andrew Duke of York’s 50th birthdays. see Over the past five decades as Head of State Queen Elizabeth II has provided stability and continuity in times of political and social change, meeting Heads of State and ambassadors, holding weekly audiences with Prime Ministers and reading state papers from the red box delivered to her daily. (even while on holiday). She has an unequalled store of experience upon which successive Prime Ministers have been able to draw; bridging party politics and providing a stable framework within which a government can introduce wide-ranging reforms. This INSIGHT ARTICLE (click on 'Info' button) is a prayer resource for interceding for the Queen, her family, her government and the Church in the United Kingdom.
Pray: for God to mightily bless, lead and protect our Royal family. (1Tim.2:2)
The Shard, a developing skyscraper that will transform London's landscape, is a potent symbol of the growing significance of Islamic finance, according to the Financial Times. Dwarfing all other tower blocks at 1,016ft (310 metres), the new landmark near London Bridge, will become the highest building anywhere in the European Union. The project has been financed by sharia-compliant investment with a consortium of Qatari investors who have paid £150m to secure an 80% stake in the project. The Financial Times states that the Shard 'has typified the role played by Islamic finance in not only supporting, but defining a new era in the UK construction and property industry'. It also claims that there are certain conditions on the types of businesses that are allowed to occupy the completed building. The Shard is currently 280 metres high and is scheduled to be completed by May 2012 where it will form a stunning backdrop for the Olympic Games. Read article: For further INSIGHTS into subtle corrosion to our Christian heritage in the UK click the info buton below.
Pray: that the Church will be made aware of those undermining our faith and beliefs. (2Ch.20:20b) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/oppositiontobritishchristianity1.pdf
A pagan tradition has been formally classed as a religion under the charity law. Druids can now receive exemption from taxes on donations and have the same status as the Church of England. The 350 member Druid network in the British Isles has practiced for thousands of years in Britain. They worship thunder, the sun, and spirits which they believe arise from places such as mountains and rivers. They cultivate a sacred relationship with the natural world through rituals, dancing and singing at stone circles and other ‘sacred’ sites throughout the country. A Druid who works as a counsellor said Druidry appeals to people turning from monotheistic religions but longing for spirituality in their lives. See Also at an Eisteddfod celebration of Welsh culture the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and the former Chief Constable of North Wales Richard Brunstrom, were inducted as honorary Druids and given Bardic names. See ml Click 'info' for Druidry INSIGHT ARTICLE. Pray: for God to touch the lives of these people, both in the United Kingdom and wherever the root of Druidry is found globally. (Ac.19:18-20)
Sir Craig Reedie, the former British Olympic Association chairman said London will be a ‘magical’ place to be when the Olympics begin in under two years' time. He was at the Olympic Park on Tuesday when Seb Coe, the London 2012 chairman, and London Mayor Boris Johnson launched the countdown to the Games. In 2012 the Olympic flame signalling the start of the Games will begin its journey in Olympia, Greece and travel across the world to be held high by torch bearer across the UK to the Olympic Stadium in London. The flame burns continuously until the closing ceremony. This INSIGHT ARTICLE (cllick on 'Info' button) has been prepared to encourage prayer throughout the coming months for God to bless the Olympic torch route in advance of 2012. Records reveal the Olympic Games and the rituals we still use today began in 776 BC in Olympia in Greece and are rooted in pagan religious symbolism, and declarations. Pray: that every village, town, city, ancient path and site on the proposed route will be blessed with God’s light. (Ps.67:1) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/Olympicroots2.pdf
A Christian MP, Gary Streeter, is arranging for an inquiry to be held over the autumn looking at discrimination against Christians in the UK. The inquiry comes amidst increasing concern over the erosion of religious freedom in the UK and will examine how the law currently affects believers. Gary Streeter MP said that the panel would invite submissions from legal professionals, businesses, individuals and social policy groups from faith and non-faith backgrounds. They will be asked to evaluate hate crime and equality legislation in the light of the need to protect freedom of belief. The inquiry will be open to the public. The issue was raised at the General Synod, the Church of England’s national assembly, last weekend. Dr Philip Giddings, chairman of the Church of England’s public affairs council, warned that employers too often failed to respect religious rights interpreting the law in ways which seem to assume that reasonable and respectful expressions of faith are, almost by definition, offensive.
Pray: that the Government will listen and respond positively to the submission from general Synod. (Job.34:2)
The statistics set out in Crimestoppers website are shocking in their summaries of the growth over recent years of all types of crime. Crimestoppers is an independent charity working to fight crime and well worth supporting in our view. It has nothing to do with the BBC’s Crimewatch programme. Anonymous information passed to Crimestoppers has led to 100,000 criminals being arrested and charged. This milestone was reached 22 years after the charity was formed in 1988. Anonymity is assured for those offering information about crimes in their area. An example of a local initiative is shown by the well known boxer, Ricky Hatton. He has joined up with Crimestoppers to encourage people in Greater Manchester to rid their community of crime by passing on information to Crimestoppers anonymously. Pray: that Christ’s light will shine into dark places so that justice may be delivered and peace prevail. (Eph.5:8-10) More: http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/latest-crime-statistics
Last year saw a five per cent increase in new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections. According to data published by Public Health England today, figures rose from 428,255 in 2011 to 448,422 in 2012. PHE said the increase was mostly due to improved data collection. However, it warned that the continuing high rates of STI in England ‘suggest too many people are still putting themselves at risk through unsafe sex’. It said this was particularly the case among young adults and men who have sex with men (MSM). With 206,912 new diagnoses last year, chlamydia remains the most common STI diagnosis. New cases of gonorrhoea rose 21% overall, from 21,024 in 2011 to 25,525 in 2012. The MSM community saw a 37% increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses. Under-25s experienced the highest rates of STI, accounting for 64% of chlamydia and 54% of genital warts diagnoses among heterosexuals in 2012.
Pray: that this growth in STI’s will be reversed. (Ps.38:3)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/increase.in.sexually.transmitted.infections.in.2012/32763.htm
Churches across the country will be using 2013 Education Sunday (January 27) to pray and work towards new ways of reaching out to those who are easily overlooked in the education world. The Rev Jan Ainsworth, the CofE's Chief Education Officer, said this theme should challenge education successes, whether flourishing schools or highly achieving pupils, to support those who are struggling. A Prayer for Education Sunday calls for 'equality rather than privilege' calling for the whole task of education to 'be devoted to justice rather than self- seeking. In Church schools we try and make inclusivity the heart of our message, underpinned by our Christian values. But Education Sunday reminds us that it is a challenge for everyone linked with the education world. We need each other and flourish much better with support. I would urge everyone to take five minutes this Sunday to think how they can include an outsider,' said Jan Ainsworth.
Pray: for Education Sunday to prompt renewed work to promote inclusivity in education. (Php.2:5-7)
More: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/01/include-outsiders,-challenges-the-cofe's-chief-education-officer.aspx
Two religious leaders are claiming an historic first after an Islamic Imam preached at a Christian chapel. For the first time a Muslim, Dr Taj Hargey, from the Summertown Islamic Congregation in Oxford, was welcomed to deliver a sermon at Pembroke College’s chapel. The Rev Dr Andrew Teal, of Pembroke College, said he had been trying to get a Muslim Imam to deliver a service for many years and he believed it was a first. ‘We wanted to do something which brought together Christianity and Islam, but not to create a third thing. I think what we are doing today is very unusual. The two faiths are actually very close Abraham being a key figure in both Islam and Christianity.’ Dr Hargey added: ‘It is up to Muslims and Christians in this great city of ours to show the way for the rest of the country’. Pray: for increased respect for Christianity by the Muslim community with ‘no-go’ Muslim areas a thing of the past. (Pr.9:10) More: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/8474153.Muslim_preaches_at_Oxford_college_chapel/
Faith communities may encourage their members to contribute to society – but can politicians harness their benefits? Robert Putnam, Harvard professor of public policy, has been in London, channelling the wisdom of social capital at No 10, as well as talking at St Martins-in-the-Fields on Monday evening. That venue is the big clue to his latest findings. It could be summarised thus: 'if you want big society, you need big religion. In the US, over half of all social capital is religious. Religious people just do all citizenish things better than secular people, from giving, to voting, to volunteering. Moreover, they offer their money and time to everyone, regardless of whether they belong to their religious group. It could be, of course, that the religious already have the virtues of citizenship. The evidence is that strong faith communities make for both strong interfaith and wider social links'.
Pray: for governments both national and local to recognise the importance of encouraging and working with faith groups. (2Co.9:2)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/23/big-society-needs-big-religion