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The vision of Pray for Schools fortnight, 8-23rd May, is to bring together people from local churches and those involved in education – parents, students, teachers, meals supervisors, Governors and anyone else with a heart for young people – to pray strategically for schools in their area and those involved in them. They have developed resources for the fortnight around ‘Praying the Bible’. Also a brand new video will be available to download and show at your event. Pray for Schools in Wales which is teaming up with 24/7 prayer to cover Wales in prayer. A week of continuous prayer for schools is planned for the 8-15th May, and you can choose your slot and sign up at Pray for Schools fortnight is supported by CARE, Youth for Christ, Scripture Union, New Generation, Churches Together England, The Association of Christian Teachers – and Christians all over the UK who want to pray for schools. Pray: strategically for the schools in your area, those who have influence over our young people. (Ac.2:17) More: http://www.prayforschools.org/events/pfs-events/pray-for-schools-fortnight/
Last week’s general election has brought a change in the political direction of our nation and is being heralded as a ‘new era’. The new partnership has the potential to cause our government to re assess commitments and look again at previously rejected options. As the new members of parliament step into their roles of authority let us pray that decisions made are based on sound biblical values full of truth and justice, and not driven by political convenience or attractive presentations. Many of our politicians now need God’s wisdom and vision for a prosperous and peaceful society. Christain Concern for our Nation are asking Christians to pray for those elected to parliament asking that they may be good governors; giving thanks for the Christian MPs amongst them and to bathe them in prayer so they may stand firm in the truth of the gospel from the outset.
Pray: that the LORD would have mercy on our nation, turning hearts to Him and raising up godly leaders. (Ro.15:5)
Islamic extremists have put up posters in an east London borough declaring it a ‘Sharia controlled zone’. The posters boldly claim: ‘You are entering a Sharia controlled zone. Islamic rules enforced.’ Underneath are images indicating that smoking, alcohol and music are banned. The posters are understood to have been discovered in the borough of Tower Hamlets last week, and they are identical to ones found in the boroughs of Waltham Forest and Newham. A police spokeswoman said: ‘Officers are working closely with the local authority to have the posters removed as soon as possible.’ The posters come as a Bill in the House of Lords seeks to stop Sharia law taking root as a parallel legal system. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, who grew up in Pakistan and is the former Bishop of Rochester, is backing the Bill. He said: ‘The problem with Sharia is that it is inherently unequal for certain kinds of people.’
Pray: for the authorities to work quickly to stop the actions of such extremists in the UK. . (Ho.10:4)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/posters-declare-sharia-zone-in-east-london/
The Church in Wales will be handing out postcards this Sunday as part of a major drive to boost the number of vicars. The bilingual cards invite people to think about whether they, or anyone else they know, would consider a career in the Church in Wales. Those interested can respond to the calling using the postcard. As well as the postcards, special prayers will be said for people considering ordination and a website will be launched to help those who want to find out more about vocations. The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron, who spearheads the Church’s vocations strategy, said that with a third of the clergy - 166 - due to retire in the next five years, the Church was facing a ‘growing need’ to find more ministers. ‘God has not stopped calling people but we need to search out and develop new ways of identifying leaders to sustain our life,’ he said. Pray: that in this busy, noisy world, there will be those that hear the 'still, small voice of calm' calling them to a different way of life. (Ps.95:7) More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/postcard.campaign.to.find.new.priests/28067.htm
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