A motion will be debated on Wednesday 7th November in the British Parliament calling for a cut in the EU budget. The EU’s next long-term budget running between 2014 and 2020, will be discussed at an PEU summit on 22 and 23 November. David Cameron wants a ‘real terms freeze’ (based on the cash that was paid out from the 2011 EU budget). Wednesday’s Parliamentary debate is not binding, but if Labour MPs side with Tory backbenchers it could be embarrassing for the Government. The discussion is generally confused. The Times reported Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls and Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, stating ‘Labour would argue against any proposed increase in EU spending and instead support a budget cut. We believe these goals are difficult but achievable with the right approach from the UK.’ (see http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ )

Pray: for the UK and other countries, with rebate or budget corrections due to expire in 2013, to experience a just and honest resolution to their disputes. (Pr.3:9-10)

More: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/matspersson/100021036/camerons-eu-budget-veto-is-a-powerful-tool-for-change/

Britain's most senior policeman has been urged to issue guidelines to his officers to protect Christians’ rights to free speech, amid claims they are suffering intimidation and discrimination from police. Christian activists have called on Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to inform all his officers that it is legal to cite traditional Bible teaching which describes homosexuality as a sin when speaking in public. The campaigners say free speech is under threat after a series of cases in which street preachers were arrested for delivering sermons which referred to the traditional Christian view of homosexuality. Andrea Williams, the director of the CLC, has written to Sir Bernard insisting that human rights laws allow Christians to express their genuinely-held views without fear of arrest, providing they do not incite a breach of the peace. Mrs Williams suggested Christians were becoming “fearful” of expressing their lawful views because of the police’s “intimidatory tactics”.

Pray: for the police in their difficult role but that they will recognise the legality of free speech in these matters. (Dt.32:1)

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10206335/Christians-demand-free-speech-guidance-from-Scotland-Yard-chief.html

As Parliament reconvenes to discuss the riots, Christian charity CARE has called on the Prime Minister to re-engage with the Broken Society agenda, with its emphasis on tackling family breakdown and fatherlessness, which he promoted vigorously when in opposition. Dan Boucher, CARE’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs, said, ‘The reasons for the riots are complex. It is very unlikely that there is any one single explanation. A key element in the mix, however, is undoubtedly the place of the family and the role of fathers in particular in Britain in 2011. When in opposition, David Cameron spoke at great length about the Broken Society and about how a Conservative government would fix broken Britain. He was very clear that one of the key drivers of the Broken Britain phenomenon was family breakdown and fatherlessness and interestingly polling demonstrates that this resonated far more effectively with the public than his subsequent focus on the Big Society ever has.’

Pray: that our government would take the Broken Society and Big Society agendas and see how together they could help in the current situation. (Php.4:6)

More: http://www.care.org.uk/public-affairs-news/cameron-must-re-engage-with-broken-society-agenda-and-crisis-of-fatherlessness-says-care-as-parliament-reconvenes

David Cameron’s plans to rewrite the definition of marriage would force the disestablishment of the Church of England, it has been warned. Revd George Pitcher’s warning came as he attacked Mr Cameron for considering proposals to make the extended Olympics shop opening hours on Sundays permanent. He criticised the Prime Minister’s ‘contempt for religion in general and the Church of England in particular’. Writing for the Daily Mail, Revd Pitcher accused Mr Cameron of being ‘entirely indifferent to the constitutional implications’ of redefining marriage. He added: ‘The state and its established church would have two entirely different definitions of an institution that lies at the heart of our society. And that’s constitutionally dangerous. ‘Instead of trying to carry the Church with him, Cameron instead tries to marginalise it. With the Queen as that Church’s Supreme Governor and also head of state, he’s obviously looking to disestablishment of the Church of England.’

Pray: for a proper open and shared dialogue blessed by the wisdom that comes from God as these matters are discussed. (Pr.1:7)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cameron-is-looking-to-disestablish-the-church/

David Cameron has declared that ‘Britain is a Christian country and we should not be afraid to say so’, in a speech to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Mr Cameron told Church of England clergy gathered in Oxford that a return to Christian values could counter the country's ‘moral collapse’ and blamed a ‘passive tolerance’ of immoral behaviour for this summer's riots, Islamic extremism, City excess and Westminster scandals. His words will delight traditionalists in his party and Christian groups that claim believers are increasingly marginalised. He said the King James Bible was as relevant today as at any point in its history. He went on to say ‘We are a Christian country. And we should not be afraid to say so. Let me be clear: I am not in any way saying that to have another faith – or no faith – is somehow wrong but that the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today.’

Pray: for such views to be reflected in Government policy and public life. (Lk.8:21)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/16/cameron-king-james-bible-anniversary

Young people are being encouraged to apply for one-year placements with a variety of innovative church projects throughout Britain. The opportunities range from working with young people directly affected by drug and alcohol problems to addressing some of the UK's most pressing social issues on a national scale. The One Programme is a paid year out for young people aged 16 to 23 years old. One Programme Participants (known as OPPs) are paid to work 15 hours a week: nine hours in a local church project and six hours for training and other national work. The projects are selected by a panel of young people and key-workers. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to make a difference in their own communities and will be paid a living wage. Hayley Moss, Methodist Youth President, said: “It offers excellent opportunities both for the young people and the projects hosting them.

Pray: for the One Programme and the young people who engage with it. (Tit.3:8)

More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/calling-young-people-this-is-your-opportunity-to-shine

Baptist churches are 'complacent' about the need for church planting and have been lulled into a false sense of security by relatively healthy attendance figures, according to church planting consultant Stuart Murray-Williams. Mr Murray-Williams says in a web interview for the Incarnate church planting network See: that Baptist churches are the 'least creative' in this area compared with other major denominations. The problem lies not in the number of churches being planted - about one a month from 2005-2009, with a further 37 last year, indicating an increase in activity. But 'the way Baptists tend to plant is that a larger church with spare resources and spare people will plant a daughter church nearby. This is a perfectly good, way of doing it, but it's not strategic. It means we're not planting churches where they're most needed, but where we have the resources to do it.'

Pray: that church planting resources would be directed strategically.

More: http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news1.htm

Churches are being invited to take part in the first ever day of prayer for toddler groups this June. The day is being organised by 1277, an alliance of Christian denominations and agencies including the Church of England, the Catholic, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, and the Baptist Union of Great Britain. The name of the alliance represents the average number of days between a child’s birth and the start of formal education. There are around 27,000 church-based toddler groups across the UK, many of them run by committed volunteers and amounting to half of the total support and care on offer to the nation’s pre-schoolers and their carers. The day of prayer on 5 June falls within National Family Week. It is being dedicated to those who attend a church toddler group and will also celebrate the valuable work of those who help out.

Pray: for all those who care for, prepare for and work with all our pre-school children. (Lk.15-16)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/call.to.churches.to.pray.for.toddler.groups/28005.htm