Former archbishop condemns treatment of campaigners who are due to stand trial for blocking entrance of London arms fair. Justin Welby's predecessor as the archbishop of Canterbury has sent a message of support to five Christian activists who will appear in court this week after blocking one of the entrances to the London arms fair earlier this month. Telling them that he wished them well, Rowan Williams added: ‘I am very grateful for those who have courageously drawn attention to the scandal of this situation, and to the wider question of the way governments support and subsidise the arms trade. Outrage about one kind of horrific and illegal weaponry will not be taken seriously unless it is part of a comprehensive willingness to tackle all forms of collusion with technologically advanced violence against human beings.’ (See Prayer Alert 37-2013)

Pray: for those who have been arrested and are taking a stand against the arms trade. (Is 2:4)

More: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/22/rowan-williams-arms-trade-activists

Known as the crack cocaine of gambling, roulette machines have attracted new interest this year after research showed there was a far higher number of the terminals in poor areas of high unemployment than on richer high streets. The government is uncertain how dangerous the machines are, stating in a review published last month that there was "no clear evidence" to prove whether the machines "had any significant effect on the level of problem gambling in Britain". The report concedes: "It is a statement of fact that some players are harmed by gambling on machines" and "it is indisputable that some people are at risk of spending far too much time and money on them". A £500,000 study has been commissioned from the Responsible Gambling Trust into the machines, but it will take 18 months to complete, and meanwhile campaign groups such as Gambling Watch say the machines should be banned from the high street.

Pray: for all those lured into using, and for those addicted to these machines that can 'take' large sums of money in minutes. (1Ti.6:9)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/27/roulette-machines-crack-cocaine-gambling

New diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in British service personnel have increased, official figures show. A total of 94 members of the armed forces were newly registered as suffering the disorder between July and September last year, nearly four times the 25 diagnoses recorded in the same period in 2008. There were 305 new cases of PTSD among UK troops in the 12 months to September last year, double the 153 logged in 2007 to 2008, according to statistics released by the Defence Analytical Services and Advice. Rates of mental disorders were found to be significantly higher in personnel who had served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Women, soldiers, RAF personnel and non-officer ranks were also more likely to suffer mental health problems. A spokesman for Combat Stress, a mental health charity for military veterans, said "The nation is facing huge numbers of soldiers who will need help overcoming things they've experienced serving their country."

Pray: for all those members of our armed forces affected by PTSD and for a commitment to high quality treatment for them. (Ps.34:4)

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9849097/Rise-in-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-rates-among-British-troops.html

Lichfield Diocese's director of ordinands, the Reverend David Newsome, is upbeat about the increase in young people training to be a priest. The number of young people accepted for training for Church of England ministry reached a 20 year high last year, latest figures show. Last year, 112 people below the age of 30 were accepted. Reverend Newsome said the figures reflected a "full recognition" in the Church that ministers need to reflect the diversity of the Body of Christ. He said the increase in young ordinands reflects a break in traditional church wisdom that favoured those with a university degree and "life experience". "Young clergy have their own experience to bring, which will be different to older clergy, but we will need both," he said. "The church desperately needs the kind of passion and commitment that younger candidates can bring. It's a very exciting and extraordinary thing that young people are wanting to commit themselves to the church in uncertain times."

Pray: for all new ordinands and that the Lord will continue to call many more to His ministry. (Ac.6:4)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/rise.in.number.of.young.priests.welcomed/31802.htm

An NHS report covering the Highlands, Argyll and Bute said poverty was the biggest issue with 53,000 people in poverty last year, see:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15153821 Elsewhere, across the British Isles poverty-stricken families are joining lengthening queues for food handouts from charities and voluntary groups and alarm bells are ringing at the number of people going hungry. Food charity FareShare distributes donated food across the country to church halls, homeless projects and other charities struggling to help families hit by unemployment, price rises and benefit changes. They have reported a 20% rise in demand for food handouts from families unable to make ends meet. FareShare is a marker for chronic hunger as the economic forecasts worsen. This weekend the Conservative party meets in Manchester to discuss what can be done about it.

Pray: that the Lord will lead all those in authority to address the causes of poverty wisely as well as the symptoms. (Job.5:16)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/01/families-queue-for-food-handouts.

The recent riots spread across a number of major cities in England, including many parts of London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol. The police struggled to respond to fast-moving and rapidly changing events. Most of the looting and disorder has been in economically deprived parts of the country, and among young people. The General Director of the Evangelical Alliance has described the rioting, looting and vandalism of the last few days as ‘shocking and unacceptable’. He added that churches were uniting and taking ‘immediate action’ to provide relief, support and care to victims of the riots. ’Christians are present on the street and participating in the clear-up by offering encouragement and support to the emergency services and their neighbours while praying for peace,’ he said. After four days of riots the Prime Minister has said ‘We needed a fightback and a fightback is under way.’

Pray: against the work of the enemy that has corrupted the minds of the young and pray for the restoration of order, for peace and for safety and understanding. (Job.28:28)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.supporting.riot.victims.with.prayer.and.practical.assistance/28404.htm

The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that last summer’s riots may return unless the government and civil society do more to reach out to young people. Writing in the Guardian, Dr Rowan Williams attributed the unrest in part to ‘massive economic hopelessness’ and a lack of opportunities for young people. He said that many of the rioters were people who had ‘got used to being pushed to the margins and told they are dispensable’. ‘Too many feel they have nothing to lose because they are told practically from birth that they have no serious career opportunities’ he said. While the Archbishop acknowledged the selfishness of the rioters’ actions, he said that demonising destructive young people would not help to address the problem. Instead, he went on to suggest that greater consideration be given to the impact on young people in debates over spending cuts, adding that the idea of cutting provision to youth services was ‘manifestly indefensible’.

Pray: that the Government will face up to its responsibilities and challenges in reaching the young. (Dt.30:11)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/riots.could.return.without.more.effort.to.reach.young.people/28987.htm