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Young Irish, in particular, hope that emigration isn't their only option, but amid news of the Ireland bailout, some aren't waiting around. Many of them are expressing deep concerns about their futures. Andrew Murphy, a recent university graduate, has taken an internship at the European Commission in Brussels and doubts he will find permanent work at home. Ruth McNally, another recent graduate, is living on unemployment benefits. ‘Two of my friends are going to teach English in Korea.’ There is a sense of despair that has taken hold and a feeling of humiliation among many as Ireland seeks help from the rest of Europe. During good times, Ireland, for the first time in its history, was a destination for migrants seeking to make their fortune. Now, Ireland is again supplying labour to the rest of the world. Pray: that the economic pressures on Ireland will not depress the country’s joyful attitude to life. (1Pe.5:10)
The children's charity Barnardos has closed all of its offices and services in the Republic of Ireland for a week. It said the decision to close was taken in late 2011 as a cost-saving measure to protect services to children and families. Barnardos said the move is in response to increased financial pressure. The charity said it followed cuts to its statutory income and a decline in voluntary contributions. ‘Our first priority is the children and families we work with’ said Fergus Finlay Barnardos chief executive. ‘This cost cutting measure is the latest in a series of cuts Barnardos has had to make to ensure that we can continue to provide vital services to children and families at a time when they need us most.’
Pray: for the work of Barnardos that it will be enabled to meet the needs of children it helps. (Ps.55:22)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19255156
The dissolution of the 30th Dáil has brought an end to the Irish Government’s slow and ignominious decline. During close on four years, the Coalition parties lost control of the economy; then lost public confidence and finally lost faith in each other. It began with the demise of the Progressive Democrats, continued with the forced resignation of Bertie Ahern, accelerated with the banking and building collapse, continued with the International Monetary Fund/European Union bailout and ended with the resignation of the Green Party. The seeds of destruction were sown before Mr Cowen took charge, as the taxation base was deliberately narrowed and bank lending and public spending soared. His Government’s response was weak and indecisive. The banking guarantee was given and defended by Government on the basis of spurious information. From there, it was all downhill. Pray: that the Irish people will be given wisdom and His revelation over their decisions. (Eph.2:17a) More: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0202/breaking10.html
The Iona Community is continuing its work in tackling poverty as it enters its 75th anniversary and the 1450th anniversary of Columba’s landing on the island. Iona Community Board Convener Allan Gordon. said: “In most nations today, the gap between rich and poor is widening. In Europe there is a discernible trend to portray benefits systems as burden rather than a safety net. “It has been a privilege for the Community to work alongside people on low incomes and benefits. In many instances we have done so in partnership at local and national area with the Church of Scotland Priority Areas Team and Faith in Community Scotland. The Community also collaborates with Church Action on Poverty and Christian Aid in awareness-raising and campaigning for fairer taxation and tax justice, and for effective financial regulation. Further joint initiatives are planned,” he added.
Pray: for Iona Community in their 75th anniversary year, for their work and for those with whom they work. (Dt.15:10 )
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18429
The introduction of web filters to make adults who want to view pornography ‘opt in' is to be considered by the Government. David Cameron has intervened to insist a default block on porn, deactivated only when users make an active choice to have it switched off, is put back on the table. Today he will announce a consultation on whether to introduce automatic filters, or a less stringent system which would mean people would have to make an ‘active choice' on whether or not to view explicit sites when they sign up with an internet service provider. There is growing alarm about the impact of sexual content on the internet on Britain’s children. Research suggests as many as one in three under-tens has seen pornography on the web, while four in every five children aged 14 to 16 admit regularly accessing explicit images and video footage on their home computers. (See Prayer Alert 17-2012)
Pray: for our Prime Minister and the authorities to be able to get a grip of this problem to protect the young. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.mediawatchuk.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=460&Itemid=117
Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches calls churches and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. 21 September is also the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Peace. As it approaches, the World Council of Churches invites people to offer prayers for peace. This year we would like to invite you to pray for the upcoming World Council of Churches 10th Assembly. The theme of the assembly is a prayer for peace: ‘God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace’. Churches from all over the world will gather in Busan, South Korea, 30 October to 8 November 2013, for the event. We would like to ask you to pray the theme – pray it for the world, pray it for the church, pray it for the churches attending the WCC assembly, pray it with the assembly.
More: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace
An inter-faith reconciliation walk will take place this Saturday 11 June 2011 in what is being called by the organisers the ‘holy city’ of Southall, West London. The 26th Annual Multi-Faith Pilgrimage for Peace is being sponsored by Westminster Interfaith, an agency of the Catholic Diocese of Westminster, which works in cooperation with a range of other religious and civic bodies. Many religions will be represented in the pilgrimage, which will pass by or enter different places of worship in Southall, including Christian churches, Islamic mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples, and Sikh gurdwaras. This year's pilgrimage commemorates the first such event, which was organised by Brother Daniel Faivre, a committed inter-faith worker, in 1986. Jon Dal Din, director of Westminster Interfaith comments: ‘The aim of Westminster Interfaith is to increase understanding, co-operation and respect between Christians and people of different faiths, and in particular to promote greater awareness through dialogue, prayer and action.
Pray: that people of many faiths will support the pilgrimage in large numbers promoting understanding, co-operation and respect for one another. (Ps.84:5)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/14896
The monarch and her family are spending part of their summer holiday this week sailing in the Western Isles of Scotland as a special commemoration of Princess Anne’s 60th and Andrew Duke of York’s 50th birthdays. see Over the past five decades as Head of State Queen Elizabeth II has provided stability and continuity in times of political and social change, meeting Heads of State and ambassadors, holding weekly audiences with Prime Ministers and reading state papers from the red box delivered to her daily. (even while on holiday). She has an unequalled store of experience upon which successive Prime Ministers have been able to draw; bridging party politics and providing a stable framework within which a government can introduce wide-ranging reforms. This INSIGHT ARTICLE (click on 'Info' button) is a prayer resource for interceding for the Queen, her family, her government and the Church in the United Kingdom.
Pray: for God to mightily bless, lead and protect our Royal family. (1Tim.2:2)
The Shard, a developing skyscraper that will transform London's landscape, is a potent symbol of the growing significance of Islamic finance, according to the Financial Times. Dwarfing all other tower blocks at 1,016ft (310 metres), the new landmark near London Bridge, will become the highest building anywhere in the European Union. The project has been financed by sharia-compliant investment with a consortium of Qatari investors who have paid £150m to secure an 80% stake in the project. The Financial Times states that the Shard 'has typified the role played by Islamic finance in not only supporting, but defining a new era in the UK construction and property industry'. It also claims that there are certain conditions on the types of businesses that are allowed to occupy the completed building. The Shard is currently 280 metres high and is scheduled to be completed by May 2012 where it will form a stunning backdrop for the Olympic Games. Read article: For further INSIGHTS into subtle corrosion to our Christian heritage in the UK click the info buton below.
Pray: that the Church will be made aware of those undermining our faith and beliefs. (2Ch.20:20b) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/oppositiontobritishchristianity1.pdf
A pagan tradition has been formally classed as a religion under the charity law. Druids can now receive exemption from taxes on donations and have the same status as the Church of England. The 350 member Druid network in the British Isles has practiced for thousands of years in Britain. They worship thunder, the sun, and spirits which they believe arise from places such as mountains and rivers. They cultivate a sacred relationship with the natural world through rituals, dancing and singing at stone circles and other ‘sacred’ sites throughout the country. A Druid who works as a counsellor said Druidry appeals to people turning from monotheistic religions but longing for spirituality in their lives. See Also at an Eisteddfod celebration of Welsh culture the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and the former Chief Constable of North Wales Richard Brunstrom, were inducted as honorary Druids and given Bardic names. See ml Click 'info' for Druidry INSIGHT ARTICLE. Pray: for God to touch the lives of these people, both in the United Kingdom and wherever the root of Druidry is found globally. (Ac.19:18-20)