Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

We have seen our government face issues beyond their ability to solve; and our nation making decisions now for future seasons of world views and spiritual alignments. Satan has a plan, but God is positioning His Church to become, once again, the powerhouse it was in earlier days when it changed the lives of multitudes and brought radical spiritual change to people groups. This is the time when God is calling His people to step into the fullness of who He made us to be. There is an opportunity for an awakening to come to transform society and bring salvation to the unsaved. On Saturday 12 July you are invited to take a few minutes every hour on the hour to stand, wherever you are, and intercede with others across the UK, declaring in unity, God’s Plans and Purposes for the UK. For the declarations click ‘More’; for more info

A leaked email to the press from the UK’s ambassador in Washington described the White House as ‘uniquely dysfunctional and divided under Trump’. The UK government began an inquiry while President Trump verbally attacked Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch and Theresa May. Next, Sir Kim was disinvited to Washington’s diplomatic functions even though Teresa May said she had full faith in him. Sir Kim has now resigned, saying, ‘The current situation makes it impossible for me to carry out my role.’ Many believe the diplomatic telegrams were leaked to British media by sympathisers of Donald Trump who wanted to embarrass the ambassador. Many expect the White House to take credit for Sir Kim’s resignation, implying that the British do what the US wants them to do. It reinforces the feeling that ‘other ambassadors need to be careful with what they say - if it's leaked, they won't get their government’s support.’ Liam Fox said the leak was unprofessional, unethical, unpatriotic and whoever did it had maliciously ‘undermined the defence and security relationship with the US’

In January 2017 Noel Conway, supported by Dignity in Dying, challenged the Suicide Act in the courts. The application was dismissed in October and went to appeal in May 2018 and was dismissed.The Divisional Court ruling was upheld in June 2018. On 27 November 2018, the Supreme Court declined to hear a further appeal, bringing the case to an end. Mr Conway went to the press on 4July telling the BBC that Assisted Dying laws are 'not fit for purpose’. He raised the issue of assisted dying again in the public arena on the day that assisted dying legislation was once again the theme of a parliamentary debate. Many advocates of legalised euthanasia are waiting for a new Parliament, hoping it would be more receptive to legal change, actioned by more persuasive campaigners on the ground. See

Parliament has backed an amendment that could force abortion on Northern Ireland (NI) after Labour's Stella Creasy put forward the amendment as part of a Commons debate aimed at keeping NI running in spite of a devolved government. NI's abortion law has saved 100,000 lives and many believe it is entirely inappropriate for Westminster to force abortion liberalisation on NI in the absence of Stormont. (MPs have been known to put forward amendments to further their own campaigns in the process). Putting forward an amendment does not mean it will change NI’s abortion law. However, if devolution is not restored by the 21 October the amendment could be passed to the Speaker, John Bercow, to choose if it goes forward; and then it would be down to Commons votes. The DUP reacted angrily to the decision.

On Saturday 27 July, ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ is scheduled from 2.30 to 3.30pm, at Wembley Library, in Brent Civic Centre,Wembley. It will be promoting homosexuality, and the Brent Council website says it is for children as young as 5. The council advertises the event as, ‘Panto/drag queen Mama G debuts in Brent Libraries for the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge with a Space Chase Pride story time which celebrates both achievements in space exploration and the LGBTQ+ angle to tie in with Pride festivities nationwide. Enjoy fun, laugh out loud heart-warming stories, with lots of participation, about being who you are. For children aged 5 to 11.’

New UK rules require big companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. 12% of businesses have cut greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep global warming below two degrees and only 20 of 160 big emitters are reducing emissions fast enough to meet the Paris agreement. Meanwhile globally a quarter of the highest-emitting publicly-listed companies have actually failed to even report their greenhouse gas emissions and nearly half do not properly consider the risks from the climate crisis in decision-making. The wealthy are causing climate change. It is over three years since the Paris agreement and although the corporate sector is improving its climate planning and performance, it is not fast enough. Barely 12% of companies in oil, gas, steel, aluminium, utilities, car manufacturing and air transport plan to reduce emissions at the rate required to keep global warming below 2C.

In 2016 Prayer Alert intercessors were asked to pray for Felix Ngole, a Christian student removed from a postgraduate course in social work at Sheffield University. A judge ruled against him in 2017, but now three Court of Appeal judges have overturned that ruling. Felix said, ‘This is great news for everyone who cares about freedom of speech, especially those working in or studying for caring professions. As Christians we are called to serve others and care for everyone, yet publicly and privately we must also be free to express our beliefs without fear of losing our livelihoods. I am thankful to the judges for recognising that I did not discriminate against anyone.’

Raheem Sterling, 24, one of England's most talented footballers, has described his Christian faith as ‘massive’. He was interviewed by GQ, a news magazine based around music, models, women and news and directed at young adult males. Sterling says he was brought up in the church, and his mum taught him about faith from an early age. When he moved from home, his faith deepened and now he has ‘no doubt’ that God exists. ‘I know for sure. A lot of scientists, the cleverest people in the world, will tell you that there has to be a creator. They need answers, but you just have to sometimes accept that it's bigger than you and you have to leave it at that.’

During five days in Westminster the House of Lords bishops spoke on serious youth violence; the need to scrap the ‘two-child limit’ welfare policy; climate change; child refugees; independent living for disabled people; higher education funding; music education; prescription opiates; and gambling and gaming machines in the armed forces (see next article). The foreign secretary was questioned about religious literacy training for diplomats, and about landholdings in Scotland. Please pray for God’s anointing and wisdom on our bishops as they raise issues of injustice and comment on how government policies are being implemented.

For many former members of the armed forces, the transition from active service to civilian life can be challenging. It is well known that transitioning veterans are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviour like excessive gambling. Research from outside the UK has consistently demonstrated that problem gambling is a more prevalent issue in armed forces populations than among civilians. Recently the Bishop of St Albans was told by the MoD that it had not funded or conducted any research on problem gambling among service personnel or veterans, but knew of a study suggesting veterans are at an increased risk of developing gambling problems. Earl Howe said that gambling has serious implications, both as a potential security risk and in connection with issues of mental health.