Super User
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur
Portsmouth Cathedral has held its first ‘24 Hours of Worship’. Churchgoers worshipped in a different style each hour, including prayer, praise, music, reflection, healing, and silence, beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday 5 Nov and ending at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The event was the idea of the diocesan youth and children’s work adviser, Ben Mizen, who joined forces with the City Centre Pioneer Minister, the Rev Mark Rodel, and the diocesan liturgy and worship group, to celebrate the main festivals of the church calendar in one day, beginning with Advent and ending with Pentecost. Groups known to have a unique style of worship were invited to take part. The 13th-century chapel of St Thomas was used for plainsong lauds at 2 a.m., and a healing service at 7 a.m. The nave was used for a Christmas Taizé Eucharist; an episcopal Eucharist, led by the new Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster; and for psalms chanted by the congregation. The chior was used for a choral Passion. Pray: this event in Portsmouth will strengthen the congregation’s faith and be a light to others. (Ac.4:24)
Christians in the Diocese of Portsmouth are hoping to reach out to churchgoers in need of new inspiration as well as people who would describe themselves as spiritual yet do not go to church. They are inviting passers-by, tourists and worshippers to drop into the city's Anglican cathedral for its spirituality fair, which will host prayer stations, workshops and meditations on April 17. Organisers say they hope the 'Be Still' fair will inspire people to worship God in new ways and help those who rarely experience Christian spirituality. Also on offer will be poetry as a spiritual aid, the role of the senses in Christian spirituality, what the Bible has to say and a prayer tent. There will be a traditional labyrinth laid out in the centre of the building – a medieval maze that encourages contemplation. Workshops through the day include prayer and movement, weaving and sculpture.
Pray: for visitors to this special event that they will learn more of and feel closer to God. (Ps.46:10)
After all the fears expressed before the Pope left Rome of a possible debacle - street protests and a poor turnout - there was a tangible sense of relief, even of euphoria, among Pope Benedict's entourage during the return flight. The Prime Minister, Mr Cameron, said the Pope had challenged the whole country ‘to sit up and think’ about the relative roles of religion and politics. The Pope had talked about ‘the development of a healthy pluralistic society’. He expressed his admiration for Britain's ‘instinct for moderation’ which found an echo in the Prime Minister's vision of a country that is ‘deeply but quietly compassionate’. The Pope's triumph was really his speech to leaders of civil society at Westminster. One politician said that his performance had been ‘sheer magic’. Pray: that the Papal visit will leave a long-term legacy in the role of the Christian faith in this country. (Phm:20)
One in three school leavers with poor grades believe they'll end up on benefits. That's according to a survey for The Prince's Trust, which also found around one in five have "abandoned their ambitions" due to a lack of success in the classroom. The charity claims that children who fail to make the grade at school are giving up on their dreams and expect to live off state handouts. More than 2,000 young people aged 16 to 25 were questioned as part of the online survey, which also found that those with fewer than five GCSEs are almost twice as likely as their peers to believe that they will "never amount to anything". The poll also showed one in 10 young people believe their exam results will "always" hold them back. This increases to a quarter (26%) among those who left school with poor grades. The Trust says “It is now more important than ever to invest in vocational support and training for young people who are not academically successful.”
Pray: for all those who feel they have failed academically and that they will be given hope, purpose and direction in life. (Heb.12:1)
More: http://www.premier.org.uk/news/current/Poor%20grades%20cause%20young%20people%20to%20give%20up%20on%20ambitions%20says%20report.aspx
The majority of church-goers in the UK feel that Christians are being increasingly marginalised in public life, a new survey has revealed. Conducted by ComRes on behalf of Premier Christian Media, 81 per cent of church-goers think the marginalisation of Christians is happening more and more in the media and press. While 77 per cent thought it was growing in the public realm, two thirds said they believed it was increasing in the workplace and more than half said it was on the rise in Government. Peter Kerridge, Chief Executive of Premier Christian Media, said: ‘2011 presents a great opportunity for Christians to speak out and tackle the creeping marginalisation occurring in British society’. He added, ‘When three out of four Christians have reported an increased risk of discrimination in the UK over the last five years, the message is clear. As a country we need to do more to support Christians living out their faith’.
Pray: that as Christians we would speak out boldly about our faith led by the Holy Spirit. (Ac.4:29)
One in four disabled rail passengers has suffered a hate crime or abuse, according to new research published today (24 April)) by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Action for Rail campaign. The poll of 1,031 disabled people reveals that over a quarter (27 per cent) of disabled rail users have been targeted while at stations or on trains, with over two-fifths of wheelchair users (43 per cent) and travellers with visual impairments (41 per cent) reporting abuses. The survey, by pollsters Survation, comes as train operating companies prepare to embark upon a major programme of cuts that Action for Rail fears could see the loss of 7,000 train guards and 7,000 station staff over the next six years. If the cuts go ahead, Action for Rail is concerned that over seven in 10 (73 per cent ) of the UK's stations could become un-staffed by the end of the decade, and that all trains would lose their guards.
Pray: that the authorities will be sensitive to the needs of those who have disabilities and especially when they are abused. (Pr.29:7)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18332
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