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Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has warned that the governments proposed welfare benefits cap will ‘break up families’ and ‘damage the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of children.’ Mr Hughes, who is not a minister and therefore not part of the coalition government, made his comments to the BBC ahead of more crucial votes in the House of Lords this week, as the Welfare Reform Bill (WRB) goes through its report stage before returning to the Commons. Mr Hughes told the BBC that he did not believe the Welfare Reform Bill would be passed as it stands. The government has headed off a House of Lords defeat over plans to replace the Disability Living Allowance. Conservatives leaned heavily on Liberal Democrat support in the Lords, avoiding another humiliating Welfare Reform Bill report stage defeat by only 16 votes.
Pray: for Government policy that as it tackles fiscal problems still protects the most vulnerable in society. (Ps.41:4)
Houses of prayer have been with us for centuries. God has called individuals and groups to offer unceasing prayer and worship, 24/7. However we are in the midst of growth of this particular calling - God through His Holy Spirit is calling more and more houses of prayer to be born and we are attempting to keep pace with Him through documenting this pattern to encourage and support those who are hearing the same call, and to help them connect with each other and people searching for a house of prayer in their region. We welcome information about houses of prayer in any country and any denomination for we are all one in Christ. We pray a blessing on your house of prayer and ask the Father for great power and for His presence to be with you.
Pray: for an extraordinary growth of prayer warriors for every nation. (Is.56:7)
More: http://www.housesofprayer.net/index.php
The Archbishop of Canterbury shrugged off calls from critics to steer clear of politics and “just talk about God” insisting that the Church has increasingly become the “glue” holding society together. The Most Rev Justin Welby used his first New Year address as leader of the Church of England to reaffirm tackling poverty as one of the biggest priorities. Archbishop Welby, a former oil executive, has drawn from his knowledge of the City as a prominent critic of practices by bankers, payday lenders and others. It was a theme he returned to in his first Christmas sermon last week when he spoke about combating “injustice” adding that politics and religion “cannot be separated”. But it led to attacks from some commentators who claimed that the Archbishop was failing to talk about faith. The Archbishop replied saying that as Christians if you love your neighbour you’re going to be deeply concerned in the things that trouble them, whether it’s about heating bills, insecurity in families and the need for good community life.
Pray: for the Church to continue its involvement in supporting so many aspects of society. (Mtt.28:18)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10546198/Welby-dismisses-critics-calls-to-stay-out-of-politics-and-stick-to-talking-about-God.html
The recent wet weather is caused by a high-altitude river of air called the Atlantic jet stream flowing from west to east separating the cool, wet and windy weather of the northern ocean from the stable, settled and warmer air to the south. In a good summer the jet stream lies north of Britain shielding us from the inclement weather closer to the NorthPole. But this year it has shifted south so that cool damp air has settled over the British Isles. Rain has destroyed numerous potato and apple crops and our farmers are struggling to meet supermarket quotas of various fruits and vegetables. The Summer Olympics are full of events meant to be played outside. Track and field events can quickly become hazardous in the rain and sailing can be downright dangerous in poor weather; Poor weather conditions will affect thousands of people attending New Wine and similar events this year.
Pray: for God's mercy on the weather patterns we are experiencing; may they not harm our agriculture, tourism, sporting activities and economic situation. (Ps.24:1,2)
‘Cynical directors and weak censors mean our children can now go to films that would have been x-rated ten years ago’, a film critic has warned. Chris Tookey’s comments came in response to the release of Sucker Punch, a 12A-rated film that teaches our children that ‘abusive sex and extreme violence aren’t really so bad’ – a rating which allows children in as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Mr Tookey, writing in the Daily Mail, hit out at the 12A certificate given to some movies and warned that current ground rules on sex and violence ‘have been relaxed to the point where not only morality but also common sense have flown out of the window’. Mr Tookey said there was plenty of evidence to suggest that ‘the 12A certificate is increasingly being used with despicable cynicism to expose children to material that is highly inappropriate and potentially damaging’. Pray: for a review of the ‘boundaries’ of censoring that will affirm the protection of our children and young people from the excesses of the film industry. (Ps.141:9) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/weak-film-censors-mean-kids-now-watch-x-rated-movies/
David Cameron hinted at tougher sentences for knife crime in the wake of the latest ‘absolutely horrific’ death of a 15-year-old in London. The fatal stabbing of Zac Olumegbon outside his school in West Norwood on 2 July was raised in Parliament by MP Chuka Umunna. In his response, the Prime Minister referred to a review of sentencing, saying: ‘I'm very clear we do need to have the strongest possible signal about how carrying a knife is just unacceptable. We need to send out a signal that it is not a defensive measure, it's not a cool thing to do. It should not happen and the punishment will be tough’. Mr Cameron said the long-term solution was ‘to give people an alternative to the gangs they are drawn towards, because they don't have other networks and help and hope in their lives. (See 4th item) Three teenagers, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with Zac's murder. Pray: for the Lord to effect changes to the youngsters’ role models. (Mt.18:3)
Media watchdog Ofcom is clamping down on radio broadcasters which flout rules meant to protect children from inappropriate music lyrics. Ofcom is concerned about a number of cases where ‘offensive language was broadcast, some at times when children were particularly likely to have been listening’. The watchdog has met with the radio industry and plans to publish guidance ‘by the end of the year to clarify the rules in the broadcasting code’. The move comes as it is revealed the Government is to look at putting cinema-style age classifications on music videos. Although current radio rules ban inappropriate or offensive material when children may be listening, Ofcom says they are being flouted.
Pray: that these moves by Ofcom and the Government to curb inappropriate material being broadcast will be successful. (Ps.139:24)
Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe has accused the Government of double standards when it comes to religious and homosexual persecution abroad. Miss Widdecombe told a Christian charity's conference that Prime Minister David Cameron was threatening to cut aid to countries which persecuted gays but was not doing anything to help persecuted Christians. ‘If David Cameron is tough on governments which persecute gays, why can't he be tough on those who persecute Christians?’ she told the Aid to the Church in Need annual conference. ‘You stand a better chance of earnest representation if you are a hedgehog than if you are a persecuted Christian.’ Aid to the Church in Need claims 75% of all religious persecution in the world is directed against Christians with 105,000 killed every year for faith-related reasons.
Pray: that our Government would be wise in its judgements and speak out for all those who are persecuted. (1Pet.4:6)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the up, official statistics show, with experts blaming reckless men and women in their early 20s and men who have sex with men. A separate report says that 70 per cent of single women regularly have unprotected sex, and 18 per cent are often too drunk to use contraception. The Health Protection Agency (HPA), which was behind the figures, warned ‘too many people are putting themselves at risk of STIs and serious health problems by having unsafe sex’. Commenting on the Health Protection Agency’s figures, Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of STI surveillance at the HPA, said they ‘are a matter of concern regarding young heterosexuals and men who have sex with men’. She continued: ‘We anticipated some increase in diagnoses due to improvements in testing in recent years, but not on the scale seen here. People should consider reducing the number of partners they have and reduce overlap in their sexual partnerships.’
Pray: for people especially young adults to take a more measured approach to their sexual behaviour. (1Co.7:2)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/warning-over-reckless-young-adults-as-stis-rise-in-england/
UK’s largest children’s charity has revealed new data showing that children are being damaged due to huge delays in the courts in England and Wales. A five-year-long pattern of deterioration has led to family courts taking up to 65 weeks to rule if it is safe for children to stay with their parents, says Barnado's. Vulnerable children are waiting on average more than a year (57 weeks) in unstable family homes or emergency foster placements before a county court decides if they will be taken into care, says the charity. In the family proceedings (magistrates) court the average time is 45 weeks. Martin Narey, Barnardos chief executive, said: ‘The courts need urgently to reflect on the damage these delays are having on extremely vulnerable children. A year of a child’s life is an inordinate amount of time for them to be trapped in desperate limbo, unclear of their future and very possibly at risk. Pray: for court procedures to be sped up and also for the vulnerable children caught up in the system. (Jn.17:15)