Displaying items by tag: Britain

Two women are killed every week in England and Wales by a current or former partner (Office of National Statistics, 2015). One in four women in England and Wales experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, and 8% will suffer domestic violence in any given year (Crime Survey of England and Wales). Domestic violence has a higher rate of repeat victimisation than any other crime (Home Office). Every minute police in the UK receive a domestic assistance call; police say that there are greater dangers in our nations from domestic violence than terrorism. Yet it remains a hidden danger. 1.8 million adults were victims of domestic abuse last year. Much violence can be due to addictions and mental health problems. We can pray for victims to have the courage to seek help, and for the perpetrators to receive help and deal with their anger in a healthy way. Pray for children who witness or are victims of violence.

Since its launch last December, Clergy Hosting has attracted eleven clergy to take up the challenge and to offer hospitality to destitute migrants and asylum-seekers. They know through conversations that there are many more clergy and lay people who want to open up their homes and provide this vitally needed welcome. They are hosting an information evening in London on 20 April where clergy who are already hosting guests will be sharing their experiences alongside those being supported by Clergy Housing. People who attend this or any other open evening will learn how the Housing Justice scheme works and be able to ask questions about it.

A new study on British cultural attitudes at the workplace has found that religion has become the butt of jokes. Workers who would never make sexist or racist jokes feel free to mock faith instead. The recently released ComRes study warned that as many as a million workers may have faced harassment, discrimination or bullying because of their religious beliefs, with some saying they're uncomfortable about mentioning they pray or go to church. James Orr, a fellow in theology, ethics and public life at Oxford University, wrote a report titled ‘Beyond Belief: Defending religious liberty through the British Bill of Rights,’ saying that such targeting is clearly a problem, but questions of humour are not clear-cut. If one is confident in one's belief, one should be able to accommodate and put up with a bit of mocking and humour.

The Apostle Paul refers to himself and his brothers and sisters in Christ as ‘co-workers’ with God. If communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ is a task, the team to accomplish that task is the Church. If the team doesn’t pull together the job won’t get done. Pray for the Church across Britain, that we will work together with great effectiveness to complete the task of sharing Jesus with every man, woman and child in this land.

(Lyndall Bywater, Salvation Army)

Following Theresa May’s invoking Article 50 this week, the Government has tabled a bill to remove EU law from the statute book. Ministers promise a smooth and stable transition, with legislation ending the supremacy of EU judges. Mrs May said the bill will make the UK an independent, sovereign nation. It will repeal the European Communities Act, which says EU law is superior to the UK's; remove the UK from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice; and transpose EU legislation into domestic UK law. Negotiations with the EU will include the importance of border controls, intelligence sharing, and the role of European courts in Britain's security. Although the EU's freedom of movement rules colour Britain's ability to police its borders, many are asking, ‘Will Britons be safe, at risk, or see their security largely unchanged once the UK exits from the EU?’ See

Last week’s attack outside Parliament made headlines across the world. Many newspapers questioned how such an attack was possible in a fortified part of the city. Pray for our police and security services as they re-examine the event and implement appropriate additional safeguards. The terrorist, Khalid Masood, used encrypted internet messaging prior to his attack. Home secretary Amber Rudd met technology firms this week to discuss making the internet less secure for terrorists. Pray for all service providers, technology giants and governments to work together to stop the internet being a terror tool. Continue to pray for the families and friends of those caught up in the Westminster attack; pray also for our Muslim neighbours, who may fear retribution. Pray for communities to be at peace, particularly where there is diversity of cultures. See

The effect of violent, horrific video material and pornography on children (let alone adults) is well-known, but little-recognised officially. Once seen, it cannot be unseen; it is highly addictive and utterly destructive. The numbers of children reported to police for indecent images offences since 2014 have tripled. Seven-year-old girls are being targeted online and post explicit images of themselves. Google and social media must be challenged to be responsible and provide the best and most effective protection. Online pornography is creating a public health crisis in our young people, and children are being driven to mental breakdown and even suicide by harassment on social media. The effect of the consumption of pornography and violent material is a time-bomb waiting to go off. Our children are at risk. Click ‘More’ for the full article, and then consider emailing your MP – and/or a member of the House of Lords.

Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has expressed his disappointment with how society continues to be suspicious of people who have faith. Speaking to the Evening Standard, he suggested people are afraid to talk about religion as a result. He said, ‘In America you've got to invent a faith to be taken seriously; in the UK you have to pretend not to have one. You shouldn't be ashamed.’ Talking about his own faith, he said it helps him put ‘everything in perspective’. He has always been open about this, staying strong even when criticised by the media. Pray for leaders in all parties who are playing down their faith. Pray that the culture shift away from religiously defined morality will end, and that the Church will be more visible in government, media and commerce.

‘We’re not so different, you and me’ is the theme of My Feral Heart, a British film about a young man with Down’s Syndrome (DS). At the heart of the film are two intertwining themes: we can only find happiness in caring for each other, and all of us are vulnerable and needy, not just people with DS. Disability is nothing to be feared, hidden away or ashamed of. Each of us is disabled and needy in different ways: some intellectually, others emotionally and socially. But the universal cure is self-giving and generosity. The release of My Feral Heart comes as the British health system increasingly pressurises mothers to abort any child diagnosed with DS.

Anti-fracking activists placed adverts in Leeds bus-stops stating that thousands of gallons of fracking fluid could be headed for the city. This overnight action was part of a national ‘Break the Chain’ fortnight, which also saw protesters suspended by swings above a quarry in Carnforth for eleven hours and residents walking 120 miles in an area where a fracking licence was granted. Lancashire and Yorkshire are concerned that wastewater from potential fracking sites could enter local treatment works. This week 250 people attended a protest rally near the UK's first horizontal fracking site, and earlier this month the Government was taken to court about its permitting Cuadrilla to test fracking sites in the UK. On Monday Nottinghamshire planning officers will publish recommendations for another shale gas well.