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A council in Staffordshire is facing criticism after it ditched the saying of prayers at the beginning of its meetings. The move comes despite the Government writing to all local councils in England telling them that new laws restore their power to hold prayers at official meetings. The original case was brought against Bideford Council by the National Secular Society, after councillor and atheist Clive Bone complained about the prayers (See Prayer Alert 07 & 08-2012) Bideford town council has decided not to reinstate their prayer meetings due to concerns that new Government powers to protect the practice are not strong enough. A church minister usually leads the prayers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, but following a ‘compromise’ move, people who want to pray at council meetings must now do so separately 15 minutes beforehand. The move has provoked criticism from The Daily Express newspaper which said in an editorial: ‘The role of Christianity in our national life does not threaten freedom but bolsters it’.
Pray: that prayers within council meetings will continue to be recognised as central and that the recent judgement will be strengthened. (Ps.9:19)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/concern-at-council%E2%80%99s-move-to-scrap-prayers/
Who would've thought that the very city identified as the ‘former murder capital of the world’ by Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro would be the place where 2,500 youth leaders would be inspired to touch the world for Christ? In Medellin, Colombia, Global Advance partnered with Youth Solutions to bring their Youth Leaders Missions Conference to over 2,500 youth plus 3,500 viewers online. The conference was held in early June and included several inspiring speakers, worship sessions, and a time of response from the attendees. These youth attending the conference face many challenges within their own country. It's not only identified as being the ‘former murder capital of the world,’ but according to the CIA, Colombia is also the world's largest producer of cocaine and a major producer of other illicit drugs. Also, nearly half of Colombia's population is below the poverty line.
Praise: God for the move of His Spirit among the youth leaders and pray that their influence will bring much fruit. (Jn.15:16)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13162.html
For more than 40 years, Colombia has been terrorized by kidnappings and murders resulting from power struggles between drug lords, revolutionaries and paramilitary groups. But in the midst of the chaos, brave Christians in Colombia are risking their lives to spread the gospel. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is committed to helping them. One of VOM’s partners in Colombia is a pilot named Russell. VOM helped Russell purchase an airplane, and today that plane flies over FARC-controlled areas of Colombia dropping small packages attached to parachutes. The packages, which float down into FARC camps and villages, each contain a selection of Christian books as well as a solar-powered Galcom radio pre-tuned to a Christian station. Before the parachutes are dropped, the radio is turned on so that even if the parachute catches in a tree, someone will hear the radio and climb up to retrieve it. More than 14,000 parachutes made by American Christians recently left the distribution centre headed for Colombia. They have already received more than 62,000 parachutes.
Praise: God for this initiative and pray that each package will bring new life. (Lk.2:10)
The Church of England has welcomed the Scout Association's decision to retain the original ‘duty to God’ pledge alongside the introduction of a new alternative promise for atheists and others without a faith. The core scout promise ‘to do my duty to God’ has been in existence for 106 years and this is the first time in the Scout movement's history that an alternative pledge has been offered for people without a faith, although alternatives have existed for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists for several decades. From January, new scouts with no religion will be able to promise to ‘uphold our scout values’. The announcement comes after a 10-month consultation that included faith groups. The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham,and the Church of England's lead bishop on work with young people, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, welcomed theoutcome. He said: ‘I very much welcome this announcement by the Scout movement that God stays in the promise.’
Praise: God for this change of mind by the Scout Association. (Ps.100:1-2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.welcome.scout.promise.decision/34293.htm
Tens of thousands of believers from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG ) were invited to the National Day of Prayer and Worship later this year. Around 50,000 Christians are reported to have attended the all-night Festival of Life at the Excel Centre in London's Olympic borough of Newham last weekend. Some days before, Pastor Agu Irukwu and other leaders had urged over 2,000 RCCG leaders to get behind the initiative and mobilise their churches to come to Wembley stadium September 29, when up to 80,000 Christians are expected to gather for a historic National Day of Prayer and Worship. He said: ‘RCCG are keen to collaborate with others for the expansion of God's Kingdom through Wembley 2012.’ Earlier in the week the General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye met with GDOP London Convener Dr Jonathan Oloyede to lend his support and prayers towards Wembley 2012. He prayed earnestly for the National Day of Prayer and Worship and reassured Dr Oloyede that RCCG were backing the event..
Praise: God for the Festival of Life and pray that the wider church will get behind the proposed National Day of Prayer and Worship. (Ps.29:2)
More than two million people have turned to the web to find their local parish church in the last 12 months, according to figures released today. The Church of England's http://www.achurchnearyou.com/ website welcomed 2,084,444 visitors in the 12 months up to April 2011, an increase of more than 28 per cent on the previous 12 months. In January, the Church's location database was integrated within the new CofE website at http://www.churchofengland.org/ leading to a steady increase in visitors. A link to the Crockford's clergy database ensures contact information for the vast majority of parishes. Peter Crumpler, Director of Communications for the Archbishops' Council, said: ‘The increasing popularity of the site is one further indication of the trend for people to use the web when looking for a place for worship, to attend a wedding, funeral or baptism, or to seek a quiet place for prayer or reflection.’ Praise: God that the airwaves are open to all who are searching even for God and His Church. (Ecc.7:25)
Bedford Council has introduced a 'nil' policy on sex establishments to the delight of local Christians. The Council adopted the measure unanimously, giving it much stronger grounds to refuse applications for new adult clubs in the future. The policy states that ‘there is no locality in the borough that is considered appropriate for a sexual entertainment venue’. Bedford has already refused applications for new sex establishments in recent years, as have other councils, including Oxford and Maidstone. The move was welcomed by the Christian Legal Centre, which has been a strong advocate in opposing sex clubs. Andrea Minichiello Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: ‘We are massively encouraged by the multiple successes we have seen in opposing sex establishments in city centres.'
Praise: God for the wisdom of the councillors. (Pr.3:13)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.welcome.bedford.clampdown.on.sex.clubs/32064.htm
Christians gathered in every borough of London on Pentecost Sunday to pray for God to heal Britain. The prayer gatherings were held as part of the Global Day of Prayer, which united an estimated 250 million Christians worldwide as the movement marked its tenth anniversary. Global Day of Prayer London facilitated prayer gatherings in churches and parks in all 33 London boroughs, testimony to the movement’s huge growth in the UK since it was launched in 2006. Convener of the Global Day of Prayer London, Jonathan Oloyede said: ‘We’re asking God to open up a new Britain, that it no longer is to be broken Britain, but for it to be healed,’ he said.
Praise: God for His call on intercessors to prayer for the healing of the nations. (Rev.22:1-2) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.pray.to.heal.britain/25969.htm
Christian leaders from a wide variety of denominations, ministries and prayer networks gathered earlier this month at New Life Christian Centre in Wembley to unite together and mobilize the church to fast and pray for the nation throughout 2011. ‘We were delighted to see 60-70 leaders from around the nation and there was an excellent response from those who were present,’ said Ian Christiansen Senior Minister of New Life Christian Centre. He added: ‘We heard from Anglican minister Keith Powell from the West Country who shared how God has spoken to him about 2011 being a pivotal year for fasting and praying.’ Global Day of Prayer London Convener Jonathan Oloyede said ‘This is the time for leaders to lay down their titles, brands and denominational labels and unite together at the cross in prayer. If we can truly covenant together in unity we will see restoration, renewal and revival in our generation.’ Praise: God for His call to unity and prayer. May we all be obedient and answer that call. (Eph.4:13)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has determined that Christians should be given more freedom to follow their beliefs in the workplace. The UK’s equality watchdog said judges had interpreted the law 'too narrowly' in cases where Christians claimed religious discrimination. It said yesterday (11 July) that: ‘The way existing human rights and equality law has been interpreted by judges is insufficient to protect freedom of religion or belief. The courts have set the bar too high for someone to prove they have been discriminated against because of their religion or belief.’ The EHRC is now seeking to intervene on behalf of Christians in four religious discrimination cases soon to appear before the European Court of Human Rights. The four Christians who will have their claims heard before the European Court are: Gary McFarlane, Nadia Eweida, Shirley Chaplin and Lillian Ladele. (See Prayer Alert 2311) Praise: God for this positive development and pray for its ongoing success. (Ps.5:11)