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An online quiz that started a year ago examined how consistently Christians are living out the teachings of Jesus Christ and has found an increase in the number of believers who are ‘Christians in name only’. ‘The results are disturbing, as 1 in 3 self-proclaimed Christians admit they rarely live out the teachings of Jesus Christ,’ said R. Brad White, the founder of Changing the Face of Christianity, which created the test. ‘Our mission is to reverse negative Christian stereotypes by helping Christians become more like Jesus Christ. And so, our goal is to work with local churches and to help transform these un-Christians into spiritually mature Christians who walk the walk, and better represent our faith to the world.’ More than 1,500 people have responded to the quiz, which was started in Sept 2011 and collected results up to April 2012. In the three other categories, only 2.9 per-cent ranked in the ‘Far from Christ’ section, 38.5 per-cent were ‘Good Christians,’ while 27.8 per-cent were ‘Spiritually Mature Christians.’
Pray: that all Christians will walk so close to Jesus that others will see Him in them. (Is.43:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/poll.finds.many.christians.by.name.only/29996.htm
American writer and theologian Wayne Grudem, co-translator of the English Standard Version of the Bible, addressed a packed St. Helen’s Church in Bishopsgate, London, tackling the question of whether political involvement distracts from the Gospel. He said God was calling Christians in the UK to ‘stand against evil’ and ‘threats that would silence the Gospel and remove it from the public square,’ particularly laws passed in recent years promoting homosexuality and attempts to loosen existing abortion regulations. Grudem argued that far from being a distraction from the Gospel, Christian involvement in politics was necessary. He pointed to the proliferation of secularist campaigns and warned that they ‘threaten the voice of the Church and the voice of Christians’ and ‘remove from government God’s teaching about good and evil.’ ‘How can government officials rightly serve God if no one is able to let them know what God expects of them?’ he asked. Pray: for a wider understanding that Christians have a vital role to play in politics and government. (Is.9:6) More: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100625/engaging-in-politics-does-not-distract-from-gospel-says-writer/index.html
The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev Vincent of Nichols, said politicians will fail a “fundamental test of civilised society” if they do not find a solution to funding care for the elderly. He said the current system is leaving many elderly, frail and disabled people struggling to meet their basic human needs and needs “urgent” reform. Highlighting the problems of unemployment, poverty, criminal justice reform and care at a reception in the House of Commons the Archbishop said: “The decisions that will be made in this building over the months ahead demonstrate the importance of this dialogue between those working on the front line to support the vulnerable, and those tasked with crafting legislation. “Perhaps one of the most important areas currently under consideration here is how we care for older and disabled people: a fundamental test of any civilised society.
Pray: for government and society to value and care for the elderly . (Lev.19:32)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/9709508/Politicians-face-test-of-civilisation-over-elderly-care-says-Archbishop.html
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s election, Christian candidates have come out in support of Global Day of Prayer London and its call to a national day of prayer. Tens of thousands of Christians are expected to turn out for the Global Day of Prayer event at West Ham football stadium on June 13. Labour’s Stephen Timms said he hoped the day of prayer would be followed up with greater service in the community. Global Day of Prayer is a fantastic event. It attracts a very large number of people coming together with tremendous exuberance and a very strong sense of prayer and worship as well.' David Burrowes, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Enfield said, ‘The Global Day of Prayer would have added significance this year, falling after the General Election on May 6. That’s something that we all need to do and it couldn’t be a better time in the first month of a government as it’s setting out its direction.’ Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Southwark and Bermondsey, made a similar call.
Pray: for the Global Day of Prayer and that it will help set God’s path for the new Government. (Zec.3:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/politicians.come.out.in.support.of.global.day.of.prayer.for.london/25839.htm
The newly installed Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland lamented the lack of tolerance shown towards Christianity in society. Dr Ivan Patterson told his Church’s annual assembly in Belfast that Christians may encounter challenges for living out their faith. ‘Jesus speaks about going extra miles; welcoming strangers; loving enemies; forgiving those who do us harm,’ he said. ‘In our society Christians have had their wings clipped in our politically correct world. It would seem that any philosophy is tolerated except that centred on Jesus Christ.’ He pointed to the example of Christian doctor Richard Scott, who is being investigated by the General Medical Council after suggesting to a patient that he consider turning to Jesus as part of the healing process. (See Prayer Alert 21-2011) Dr Patterson was installed as Moderator during the opening session of the week-long General Assembly, which is being attended by 1,200 Church members. Pray: that the message from Dr Patterson will be heard and widely accepted by all. (Ti.1:9)
Home secretary Teresa May wants an overhaul of police powers in England and Wales which have been disproportionately used against black and minority ethnic people. She said the widespread use of the powers of ‘Stop and search’ has been seen as sharply divisive among Britain’s black and minority ethnic communities. She is launching an immediate Home Office consultation over the future use of the powers following a successful pilot scheme in five police forces, including the Metropolitan police and the West Midlands force, which has seen a more ‘intelligence-led’ approach. A report showed that black people are subjected to ‘routine’ street searches at roughly five and a half times the rate of white people. There was also particular concern about the use of ‘exceptional’ section 60 searches, which were introduced to curb football violence but are widely used to combat knife crime. Black people are up to 25 times more likely to be subjected to a section 60 Stop and Search than white people.
Pray: that police officers will use the powers they have to build public trust.
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk-news/video/2013/jul/02/police-stop-search-theresa-may-video
Politicians should do more to calm tensions during the marching season, the police have said. It cost almost £3m to police parades last summer and the bill could be even higher this year. There are fears dissident republicans may try to cause trouble in some areas, like the Ardoyne in north Belfast. Police sources told the BBC, politicians should work harder to encourage the resolution of contentious parades and reduce the likelihood of confrontation. While they are hoping for the best, they have to prepare for the worst, which means large numbers of officers and equipment have to be deployed. The PSNI said it has the resources needed, but also said politicians should do more to defuse tensions. Senior sources have told the BBC they would like politicians in potential trouble spots like north and west Belfast, Portadown and Rasharkin, to be more proactive.
Pray: for a peaceful and tolerant approach to the marching season encouraged by local politicians. (2Jn.6)
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10211009.stm
A senior Metropolitan Police officer has reassured runners and spectators that Sunday's London Marathon will go ahead as planned. Commander Christine Jones said security was being reviewed following two deadly explosions at the Boston Marathon. The public should be ‘reassured’ the police were ‘very, very well-practised’ at managing big events, she added. London Mayor Boris Johnson has also spoken to police about the possibility of extra security on the day. In Boston, at least three people are known to have been killed on Monday and more than 170 injured in blasts close to the marathon's finishing line. Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said he was ‘absolutely confident’ the London Marathon could be kept safe. London had ‘enormous experience’ of delivering major events and the UK had some of the best security professionals in the world, he told the BBC, adding: ‘This is one of those instances where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue.’
Pray: for the safety of this event and any steps to disrupt it will be thwarted.(Ps.5:11b)
Police have ‘given up’ on the street and are failing to take problems caused by anti-social behaviour as seriously as victims do, a police chief says. About 45% (3.5m) of police calls relate to anti-social behaviour, but Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Denis O'Connor said officers did not regard it as real crime and were slow to act. He warned cutting spending on the issue would be ‘a very significant mistake’. Police chiefs say they are deeply aware of the impact of anti-social behaviour. Home Secretary Theresa May said the report was a ‘damning indictment of Labour's failure to tackle anti-social behaviour’ and the government was reviewing the tools the police needed to deal with anti-social behaviour because Asbos were ‘clearly not working’. The work of Street Pastors www.streetpastors.co.uk and Street Angels www.streetangels.org.uk/ have contributed to crime reduction in many of the areas where they serve. Pray: that the Police, together with the Church and all peace-makers, would reclaim the streets bringing law and order and God’s new life. (1Jn.5:5)
On Tuesday the BBC reported - The High Court ruled that London police officers who took the personal details of a woman ‘kettled’ during a trade union rally in 2011 acted unlawfully. - Gwent's police and crime commissioner said it will be three months before he appoints a new chief constable after he told the previous top officer to retire or be removed. Also on Tuesday Kent's police chief has admitted there was a ‘distortion of activity’ by the force to achieve crime statistic targets. 25% of crimes recorded as ‘no-crimes’ were wrongly classified, among them rapes and robberies. The Guardian reported nine Essex women died despite contact with Essex police, a force that had previously been the subject of highly-critical reports. On Monday the Home Office announced undercover police are to face tighter regulation following officers having sexual relationships with their targets and adopting the identities of dead children. Also on Tuesday in West Yorkshire a corrupt detective who stole enormous amounts of seized drugs to sell them back on to the streets was jailed for 23 years.
Pray: for our police force, Lord lead them not into temptation, but deliver them from evil. Amen. (Am.5:24)
More: http://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/10492425._/