Most Christians believe that sharing their faith with friends is an effective form of evangelism, a new survey suggests. The survey, Confidently sharing the gospel?, was undertaken by the Evangelical Alliance to determine whether Christians are still evangelising in the 21st century. It found a shift in the way that Christians are speaking about their faith, from the open air preaching that typified the evangelism of the 19th and early to mid 20th centuries, to more intimate settings. While only nine per cent said that street preaching was an effective way to talk about Jesus, eighty per cent said that the intimacy of a group of friends was a safer and more effective place to share their beliefs. Fifty-seven per cent said it was their actions that would point people to Jesus, rather than their words, with 55 per cent saying they had seen people come to faith through involvement in community projects like foodbanks.

Pray: for each of us to find our own path to evangelism (Jn.4:40-41)

More: http://archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.co.uk/

A wet weekend has done little to allay the fears of farmers in drought-stricken parts of England. The Government declared parts of East Anglia and the Midlands to be in a state of drought last Friday after England and Wales experienced their driest spring on record. Graham Thompson, Chair of the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church, said ‘A great many farmers are irrigating their crops and there is great anxiety that there may not be sufficient water for the usual period of irrigation later in the growth cycle,’ He said Methodist ministers in East Anglia were offering their support to the farming community and praying with Christians involved in farming. ‘It would not be quite right to say that we are 'praying for rain' but we are asking God to guide our farmers as they seek to make the best use of the resources they have.’

Pray: for those affected by this drought both in the UK and around the world. (Ps.147:8)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.praying.for.englands.droughthit.farmers/28150.htm

Christians gathered in central London on Tuesday to pray for God to unite the Church and change the spiritual climate of secular Britain. It was the last prayer meeting by the organisers of the National Day of Prayer before the big event at Wembley Stadium later this month. Tens of thousands of Christians will gather at Wembley on 29 September to pray for the nation and revival in the Church. Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Hillsong London and Graham Kendrick are among the artists leading worship on the day. Global Day of Prayer London Convener, Jonathan Oloyede, is playing a key role in the organisation of the Wembley event. He told the crowd to pray that there would be ‘no empty seats’ at Wembley. He said: ‘A seismic shift is taking place across the British Isles and if the Church unites across culture, creed, colour and class then there will be a spiritual climate change all around our nation.’ Tickets are available at www.ndopwembley.com

Pray: that this day of prayer will draw many thousands together to pray and praise giving glory to God. (Mt.6:9-10)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.pray.for.seismic.shift.in.britain/30637.htm

Christian communities throughout the UK are expected to take part in a Day of Prayer in the week that one of the world's largest arms fairs opens in London. The Day of Prayer, on Sunday 11 September, will take place on the tenth anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers and will enable Christians to reflect on the legacy of that day: war, inter-community tension, and an increasingly militarised approach to human security. The Day of Prayer is organised by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Christian Network, a non-denominational group of Christians opposed to the arms trade. The Christian Network has produced a Day of Prayer Pack with suggestions for worship, including prayers, Bible readings, hymns and service sheets, plus background briefings on arms fairs and the UK's role in the arms trade. ‘Christian peace activists play a vital role in CAAT's work,’ said Anne-Marie O'Reilly, CAAT's Outreach Co-ordinator.

Pray: that Christians would unite against the evil of this trade and seek a Godly solution. (Mic.4:3)

More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15242

Christians must not shy away from dealing with death, says Methodist President The Revd Alison Tomlin, who said that a faith that shies away from the issue of death is ‘neither real nor relevant’. Speaking as the Church launches its new booklet A Gift of Remembrance, Alison said: ‘Everyone is affected by death at some point in their lives. Because it can be emotionally difficult and painful it’s easy to want to put the issue to one side, to try not to think about it or deal with it. But as Christians we believe in a God of hope, a God who is with us even in the valley of the shadow of death.’ A Gift of Remembrance is a new booklet offering reflections on death, dying, mourning and loss. It includes Bible passages, prayers and reflections from a variety of authors. The booklet is being launched this week at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park in Surrey.

Pray: for all those affected by bereavement and that this new book will be of help to many. (Mt.5:4)

More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=504

Britain’s Christian community must provide a strong visible presence on the nation’s streets during tough times, Street Pastors founder Les Isaac says. Street Pastors is an organisation that was launched in 2003 in response to London’s growing gang culture and yobbish behaviour. More than 9,000 volunteers now patrol streets throughout the UK on a regular basis. ‘We have been going out on the streets ever since the start of the riots, but we think as things are calming down, it’s now even more important for us to be out and we want church leaders to stand alongside us.’ Aside from calling Christians to go out on the streets, Rev Isaac is calling on the church to pray strategically during these difficult times. ‘I believe that young people have a major part to play in finding solutions for the problems with disaffected youth, and prayer will help to kick start the solution finding process.’

Pray: that the Christian community will make a strong, positive and prayerful response to the recent riots. (Je.42:3)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.must.be.visible.in.the.community.says.street.pastors.founder/28441.htm

Christians are less likely than atheists to be promoted to top jobs, official figures show. Nearly a quarter of people with no religious belief live in homes headed by someone with a senior executive position or a job in one of the professions. However, well under a fifth of Christians work in the best-paid and most influential jobs or are married to someone who does. The breakdown of employment and religious belief, produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) from the 2011 census, comes as campaigners claim it is becoming harder for Christians to get to the top. Barrister Andrea Minichiello Williams, a member of the Church of England’s General Synod, said: ‘If you hold views that are contrary to the prevailing orthodoxy you are seen as potential trouble. ‘This is a real phenomenon. Christianity is now a bar to appointment or promotion.’ But others believe the Christian majority are being out-paced by more ambitious religious groups.

Pray: that Christians will be inspired to take up the roll of workers willing to bring glory to God. (Ps.90:17)

More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2383925/Christians-lose-atheists-senior-jobs-religious-people-held-positions.html

A network of Christians working against government cuts have urged ministers to not ‘punish the poor for the sins of the rich’. Christianity Uncut http://christianityuncut.wordpress.com/ marched with thousands of people of many religions or none in London, Belfast and Glasgow on Sunday for ‘A Future That Works’. The group said that many churches are witnessing the effects of growing poverty, unemployment and homelessness in their own communities. They urge Christians to be at the forefront of campaigns looking for alternatives, such as a crackdown on corporate tax dodging, the cancellation of the Trident nuclear weapons system and a cap on private sector rents. Sally Rush, from Milton Keynes, joined the march in London and said: ‘As a Christian, as well as part of the wider society, I believe I have a responsibility to campaign against the causes of poverty as well as working to minimise the effects’

Pray: that as Christians we make it our responsibility to stand up for our Christian principles and ideals. (Ro.8:38a)

More: http://religiousintelligence.org/churchnewspaper/?p=28869