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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/
The Prime Minister announced that from next April the Government would be measuring how much the lives of British people are improving ‘not just by our standard of living, but by our quality of life’. His plan for a wellbeing index has come under fire from critics who have already written it off as ‘airy fairy and impractical’. However, the cynicism is not shared by everyone. Emrys Jones, of Care for the Family, said the index could give a clear indication of what matters most to people and enable the Government to prioritise areas that impact most strongly on people’s happiness levels. ‘Economic growth is vital, as without jobs people can struggle to take care of their families, but it’s also important to consider our wellbeing as a nation and identify what makes us truly happy, such as investing more quality time in our families,’ he said.
Pray: that the nation’s quality of life improves despite our economic hardships.(Is.32:18)
The Church of England was warned last week that, unless there are further amendments, its 140-year-old partnership with the Government over schools could be ended by the new Academies Bill. The warning came in a client-advice paper from the solicitors that acts for the National Society, the body set up in 1811 to found church schools. The new Bill is potentially the largest change in the provision of education in England since 1870. Before then schools had been provided by voluntary bodies, principally the Church of England. The balance then swung towards state provision; but the new legislation could swing the balance back again to the voluntary sector, says the solicitor’s education specialist. ‘We suppose that the Government would ideally wish to see the end of local authorities as providers of schools. Modifications to the Bill have been by the bishops in the Lords which would increase diocesan boards’ influence over their schools. Pray: that Church schools will continue to underpin the faith of future generations. (Lk.18:16)
David Cameron said he wouldn’t have pushed through gay marriage had he known beforehand how alienated grassroots members would feel, it has been revealed. In quotes disclosed in a book by a newspaper columnist, the Prime Minister told one ally: ‘If I’d known what it was going to be like, I wouldn’t have done it.’ But he now denies regretting the legislation, saying in an interview: ‘I don’t think I expected quite the furore that there was. It’s clearly been very difficult for some people to take on, and I completely understand and respect that. I am passionate about marriage. I think it’s a great institution, and I think it should be available to people who are gay as well as those of us who aren’t.' Matthew d’Ancona’s book ‘In It Together’ gives a series of insights into the Prime Minister and his dealings with the cabinet.
Pray: that the comments made by the PM will lead to a deeper understanding and sensitivity. (Job.32:8)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/david-cameron-privately-regrets-redefining-marriage/?e041013
Prime Minister David Cameron told MPs on Wednesday that he believes that Christians should have the right to wear a cross at work. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsCTjGTLY20&feature=player_embedded He also promised to change the law to allow this, if necessary. Yet the Government has intervened against the two Christians whose cases are before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the right to wear a cross. The Government has told the ECHR that their employers had every right to discipline them. As well as the 'cross' cases, two other cases, relating to freedom of conscience, will also be heard by the ECHR on 4 September, including that of Christian Legal Centre client Gary McFarlane who was sacked after he expressed a possible conscientious objection to giving direct sex therapy to two homosexual men. Why is the Prime Minister saying one thing but his Government is doing another?
Pray: that the Government will give a clear message in supporting the cross. (1Cor.1:18)
Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has attacked David Cameron for doing more than any other recent political leader to feed Christian anxieties that they are part of a persecuted minority. In an article for the Daily Mail he wrote: 'I like David Cameron and believe he is genuinely sincere in his desire to make Britain a generous nation where we care for one another and where people of faith may exercise their beliefs fully. But it was a bit rich to hear that the Prime Minister has told religious leaders that they should 'stand up and oppose aggressive secularisation' when it seems that his Government is aiding and abetting this aggression every step of the way.’ He added ‘many Christians’ doubted the sincerity of Mr Cameron's pledge to support their rights, with a recent poll showing two-thirds believed they are now part of a ‘persecuted minority’.
Pray: for our PM and other politicians that they will stand against Christian persecution. (2Cor.2:17)
Dale Farm near Wickford in rural Essex is one of the largest Gypsy and Traveller sites in Europe. Ray McKay, spokesman for Basildon council said travellers would get more sympathy if they were poor, but they aren’t. The Bishops of Brentwood, Chelmsford, and other Catholic and Anglican clergy have all visited Dale Farm. There is a small cabin there for meetings plus IT and literacy classes with the blessings of the local Catholic parish priest. A Catholic nun and social worker working with the travellers for eight years said, ‘Irish Travellers are the smallest ethnic UK group: more than 20% are homeless. Most are illiterate. Their life expectancy is 20 years lower than the national average. They are often the target of abuse and blamed for everything from fly-tipping to petty crime. Some do misbehave, but the majority are law-abiding. Many families have to move every few days. The children have no chance to stay in school for long.'
Pray: for facilities for Travellers to be established across the UK, and for more churches and authorities to unite in their work for and with these communities. (Mt.25:34-40)
More: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18803