A Lib Dem peer in the House of Lords has tabled an amendment to remove the requirement for Christian worship in schools. Currently schools must have a daily act of collective worship. Collective worship must be ‘wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.’ Parents can withdraw their children and teachers are also permitted to opt out. But now Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat peer, has tabled an amendment to end the requirement for collective worship in all schools apart from faith schools. Earlier this year a secularist campaign group said that Christian assemblies should be banned because they breach children’s human rights. The National Secular Society wrote to Education Secretary, Michael Gove, demanding that the law on Christian assemblies be abolished. But a spokesman for the Department for Education said the law on Christian assemblies ‘encourages pupils to reflect on the concept of belief and the role it plays in the traditions and values of this country.’ (See Prayer Alert 36-2011)
Pray: that this further challenge to our faith would be thwarted. (Pr.6:23)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/peer-in-bid-to-dismantle-law-on-christian-assemblies/
Peacemaking Sunday
21 Sep 2010
Churches are being encouraged to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace on 19 September - Peacemaking Sunday - using ecumenical worship resources provided by the Baptist Union of Great Britain, The Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. The United Nations’ International Day of Peace is celebrated on 21 September and provides an opportunity for individuals, communities and nations to focus on peace and peacemaking in the world and within their own lives. The three denominations have compiled a selection of art, prayers, a sermon guide, meditation and a commissioned hymn designed to help congregations focus on peace this coming Sunday. Mrs Val Morrison, moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, says 'Peacemaking Sunday and the United Nations’ Day of Peace highlight our need to pray for peace in the many areas of conflict across the globe, but also, in our own lives and relationships.’ (See also World/Africa below) Pray: for God’s peace to be upon us all. (Mi.4:3) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=461
Payday Loans / Christians against poverty
14 Dec 2012The pressures of Christmas spending will drive four million people to take out payday loans to cover Christmas costs, despite a cut in the average budget for festive spending and giving fewer presents this year. Louise Brittain of R3 the insolvency trade body said, ‘I would urge people to think again before taking out a high interest loan to pay for presents, partying or luxury food. Debt has been normalized, attributable in part to clever marketing campaigns of big payday lenders operating glossy websites who are capitalizing on a shift in attitudes towards saving and debt.’ One in four families struggles to break even every month. Meanwhile a national debt counselling charity that works through local churches called ‘Christians Against Poverty’ offers hope and solutions to debt through a service showing God’s love in action sustainable poverty relief of counseling and practical help. See: http://www.capuk.org/who/aboutus.php
Pray: for Christian charities and networks helping people in debt to reach those in most need; and for similar Christian resources to be birthed at this time of recession. (Mt.25:35-36)
Payday lenders told to improve by OFT
07 Mar 2013Payday loan firms have been told to change their behaviour after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) found evidence of ‘widespread irresponsible lending’. The OFT is giving the biggest 50 firms 12 weeks to change their practices, or they risk losing their licences. It also plans to refer the market to the Competition Commission, after it found ‘deep-rooted’ problems in how payday loan companies compete. In response, the loans industry said it was already changing its operations. The Government has also announced plans to ‘weed out rogue lenders’ and place further controls on the way they are allowed to advertise. In addition, it said the high rates of interest charged by payday lenders could make the consequences of irresponsible lending ‘particularly acute’. (See also Prayer Alert 50-2012)
Pray: that the OFT’s pressure and the Government's move to exert controls will restrict irresponsible lending. (Pr.28:25)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21683739
Payday lenders face tougher rules
06 Oct 2013The UK's payday lenders have been warned that tougher regulation is on its way, to protect consumers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed that all borrowers should have an "affordability" check before being given a loan. Among other new rules, the FCA wants to put risk warnings on adverts and marketing material. The payday industry gave the plans a guarded welcome, saying irresponsible lenders would struggle to comply. Martin Wheatley, the FCA's chief executive, said: "Today I'm putting payday lenders on notice: tougher regulation is coming and I expect them all to make changes so that consumers get a fair outcome. The clock is ticking." The proposals mean that anyone taking out a loan would need to prove that they could afford to repay it. In a separate government survey, one in five customers said they were not even asked about their finances when they applied for a payday loan.
Pray: for all those who fall victims of unscrupulous loan sharks and that these moves by the FCA will bring an end to such usury. (Eze.18:17)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24372134
Are Christians being marginalised in public life? Is it becoming more difficult to speak freely or be authentically Christian in the workplace? What does the law actually have to say about these issues? These are just some of the questions a cross-party group of Christian MPs and Peers are attempting to address as part of Clearing the Ground - a parliamentary inquiry to see how the law treats Christians. The All Party Parliamentary Group 'Christians in Parliament' has launched the inquiry to seek clarity regarding what Christians can and cannot do within the law. It will cut through the claims made in the media and by opposing campaign groups to consider whether Christians are finding their freedoms eroded. Gary Streeter MP, who is chairing the inquiry, said: ‘There has never been a more significant time for Christians to make a positive contribution to our society.’
Pray: for God’s wisdom to prevail leading to positive contributions and clear understanding. (Col.2:2)
Last week's UNICEF report on parenting led to a flood of news items lamenting the consumer culture and its impact on British children. In fact, UNICEF interviewed a total of 25– yes, twenty-five – families across Europe . That's fewer than ten per country. This is hardly a good statistical base for drawing conclusions. Another report commissioned for the Labour party questioned 2000 adults in the UK and found ‘a yearning for traditional family values’, which many feel have disappeared, saying the ‘ideal’ family should have a mother and a father. This is quite a contrast to Government policies over the last decade encouraging mothers to go out to work. Jill Kirby, a family expert and author of The Price Of Parenthood, said: ‘This survey shows how out of touch current political parties are with what families really need and what most women want. They want more time with their children.’
Pray: for governments and policy to be much more oriented to support family life. (Eph.3:14-15)
Many parents fear music videos have become too sexualised and violent, the founder of a parenting website has said. Siobhan Freegard, of Netmums, said parents were not prudes, but felt things had "gone too far". In a survey of some 1,500 website members, most (82%) said their children had repeated sexual lyrics without knowing their meaning. And three-quarters said they tried to stop children watching music videos. Ms Freegard said parents were most angry that their children were being exposed to "lewd viewing" on programmes shown before the 21:00 watershed for family viewing. "Modern parents aren't prudes - they know sex sells," she said. "But there's a strong feeling that things have gone too far now. It's toxic to tell young kids casual sex and violence are something to aspire to." Most (75%) of parents with daughters said very sexual pop acts were teaching girls they would be "judged on their looks, not their achievements or personality".
Pray: for this issue, that is regularly raised by concerned groups, to be noticed and acted upon by all authorities to tackle the problem in a meaningful and positive way. (1Pe.3:3-4)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24836571
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