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Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said he would support efforts to reduce the ‘far too high’ number of abortions. He is the first high profile politician this week to say so. Amid tensions within the coalition over a backbench bid to change the law on counselling for women considering a termination, Dr Fox said he would back anything that made people ‘think twice’. Tory MP Nadine Dorries is currently rallying support for an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill which would provide women, who wanted it, to receive counselling that was independent of the abortion industry. However the Government appears to be changing their mind about supporting the amendment as Mr Cameron and the Heath Minister, Anne Milton now say they will oppose it. Ms Dorries branded Cameron as ‘gutless’ and said he had supported her amendment but had been forced into a U-turn by Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to save coalition stability.’ (See also last week’s P.A.)
Pray: for the amendment to be supported by an overwhelming majority in Parliament. (Ps.67:4)
More: http://pjsaunders.blogspot.com/2011/09/defence-secretary-liam-fox-gives.html
The announcement of yet more defence cuts comes at a time when the Armed Forces are stretched beyond reasonable capacity, with those deployed working round the clock with little down time. The commitments given to our Armed Forces are great, from overseas to the home front, including currently the Olympic Games. Our Armed Forces are second to none but with each reduction, their capacity gets eroded. An army can be debilitated by a stroke of a pen, but to restore it again can takes years.
Pray: for wisdom for our Government and those in authority that the defence of the realm will remain secure. (Ps. 91:4)
The high cost of a typical day out and parents’ hectic work schedules mean families spend less time getting away from the daily routine than in the past. A survey of 2,000 adults by researchers at YouGov found that 62% believed family day trips were less common today than 20 years ago. The national charity, 4Children, which commissioned the survey, warned that costs and time pressures could be to blame. The average day trip costs £50 for a family, while previous research suggested that families typically spent just 49 minutes a day together – about five hours per week. Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4 Children said 'day trips and holidays can help families stay together in difficult times. A short break away from the domestic routine allows children and parents to reconnect, especially for those families experiencing tough times. Days out can strengthen bonds and build shared family experiences and memories that we know are so important in keeping families strong and together.’
Pray: for both the desire and opportunity for families to be able to spend time together on a day out. (Ps.122:8)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/8545321/Decline-of-the-family-day-out.html
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has publicly announced the launch of the ‘DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal’ in response to the monsoon catastrophe. Special broadcasts began yesterday on the BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, Channel Five and independent radio stations and will continue. The money raised will help fund the life-saving work in Pakistan of the DEC’s members and their partners. Responses to the Pakistan Floods Appeal are being made by all the DEC agencies, namely: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, CARE International UK, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Concern, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision. The special broadcasts will be presented by well-known figures and mark the formal launch of the Appeal. Automated telephone lines and the DEC website, SMS, post and over the over-the-counter donations at Post Offices and banks are open for donations. The automated donation line is 0370 60 60 900 and website (See also World Article following.) Pray: for a huge response from the British people to alleviate this humanitarian disaster. (Ac.20:35)
Pro-choice activists from Ireland to India are protesting the death of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian woman who was denied an abortion at a hospital in Galway, Ireland, in late October. In Dublin, an estimated 6,000 protesters rallied to legalize abortion in heavily Catholic Ireland, which has stringent anti-abortion laws. Similar marches in Galway, where Halappanavar died, and at the Irish Embassy in the Indian capital Delhi called for the Dublin government to amend the abortion law or abolish it entirely. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny says he will not rush into a decision on the right to abortion. He called any connection between Halappanavar's death and Irish abortion law a ‘tragic coincidence.’ Doctors are still investigating Halappanavar's death to determine whether an abortion would have made a difference or not.
Pray: for sensitivity by the Irish authorities especially in cases of medical requirements. (Pr.31:9)
The Work and Pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, urged the Prime Minister on Wednesday to recognise marriage in the tax system in an effort to encourage ‘couple formation’ and stable families, reports Christian Concern for our Nation. The Prime Minister had pledged to introduce a tax incentive for married couples before the last election but has not, as yet implemented the policy. Mr Duncan Smith sees the family as a foundational element to a stable society and he highlighted the need to address the ‘bias’ against married couples. Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said, ‘The family is indeed the bedrock of a stable and successful society. It is high time the Government implemented policies which promote marriage and the family.’
Pray: that the PM will recognise and implement reforms that build stable families. (Is.30:20,21)
The Church and Media Network is inviting Christians and churches to pray for the media. The Christian organisation exists to build a bridge between the church and the media. It is encouraging all churches and Christians to mark Sunday 12 May 2013 as a special day of prayer dedicated to the media. Churches are encouraged to contact their local newspaper, radio and TV station to find out what they would like prayer for, and to invite local editors to speak at church events. Reverend Tony Miles, of BBC Radio 2's 'Pause for Thought' and chairman of the Church and Media Network said: ‘The British media is under scrutiny as never before. Illegal and unethical practices by some journalists have combined with tough economic times and pressures from new technology to make these challenging times for everyone working in the media.’
Pray: that our prayers will bless those in the media and that God will protect them from unethical practices. (Ph.4:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/day.of.prayer.for.the.media/32255.htm
Christians from different churches in Ireland have felt drawn to join together to issue a call for prayer for their nation at this time. Ireland is undergoing a period of economic, political and social upheaval, shaking the very fabric of its society. In the midst of this upheaval Christians are calling for prayer to seek God’s help in a very definite way, and meeting to ask God for His intervention. They have invited churches to plan events and gatherings for prayer. Join with them on Friday the 3rd December 2010, to pray for Ireland. They are asking people to pray individually at home, in groups, at special church services, at work, at school, in colleges, wherever. They suggest that times of prayer can be short or long, using favourite forms of prayer, or at a church service, mass, bible study etc.
Pray: for the Lord to help Ireland in response to their day of prayer. (2Ch.6:19)
More: http://www.irishchristians.ie/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=13:a-day-of-prayer-for-ireland
A gang of eight Asian men aged between 20 and 28 were arrested in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire on suspicion of being part of a Home Counties paedophile ring, after a girl told police how she'd been raped and abused for five years from the age of 12. Only one victim has come forward so far, detectives believe the paedophile ring is responsible for abusing others. Many believe sex abuse reports 'turn a blind eye to Asian gangs' even though they account for a quarter of all cases. There is only one organisation serving the needs of parents, carers and wider family of child sexual exploitation victims in the UK. It is called CROP’ and has a family-centred approach to tackling child sexual exploitation by supporting, encouraging and enabling parents and families to be actively involved in responding to the devastating, complex and multiple issues that arise as a result of the sexual exploitation of their child. See http://www.cropuk.org.uk/
Pray: for more courageous victims to come forward. Pray for additional organisations to minister to the abused and may all that is hidden be revealed. (Ps.9:16-18)
Richard Dawkins is backing a scheme to send a commemorative copy of the King James Bible to every state school, but only because he thinks it will turn kids off the scriptures. Last week Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, began sending commemorative copies of the Bibles to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. Professor Dawkins says that the initiative is justified because of the historic text’s impact on the English language. The renowned atheist even said that he would have made a financial contribution to the £370,000 scheme if he had been approached. However he made clear that his underlying motive was the hope that the scheme would turn youngsters off the Bible. Prof Dawkins, writing in the Observer, said, ‘I have an ulterior motive for wishing to contribute to Gove’s scheme'. Note: Richard Dawkins recently explained that he is a militant agnostic, not an atheist, as he cannot disprove God’s existence.
Pray: that the Bible will continue to be of abiding importance and read even more in schools(in contemporary versions) because of this publicity. (Heb.4:12)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/dawkins-hopes-free-bibles-will-turn-kids-off-scriptures/