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)
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
Christians must not be sidelined
09 Jul 2010
A senior Government official has said that Christians should not be sidelined for their faith and that Christianity has a valued and important role to play. Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said that the Government is keen to look at the church’s role in communities for inspiration. He knows the flawed logic of the view that the state can solve society’s ills does not work. In an interview with the Sunday Express, he said: ‘One of the things I want to do is to use the pastoral experience of the Church of England and the Catholic Church in getting out there into the community. Religious tolerance is immensely important. Religion has a valued and important role in binding our society together and is a vital part of the cultural fabric of the English and British nations.’ It is reported that there are 22,000 Christian charities in Britain providing more than 23 million hours of voluntary service. Pray: for recognition of the vital role that the church plays in the life of the nation. (Mt.5:3)
Christians must be visible in the community
16 Aug 2011Britain’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)
Christians lose out to atheists for senior jobs
16 Aug 2013Christians 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
Christians join in anti-austerity protests
01 Nov 2012A 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
Christians invited to 'Join The Party'
19 May 2010Christians should not only vote in the forthcoming general election but seek to influence the political system from the inside as party members, local councillors and even MPs, according to a campaign launched on Tuesday. ‘Join The Party’ has been launched by Christians in Politics, the politically neutral umbrella organisation jointly owned by the Christian Socialist Movement, the Conservative Christian Fellowship and the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum. It encourages Christians to get beyond shouting from the sidelines and to become part of the political process. The campaign is launched with video clips of the three main party leaders and the Archbishop of York available from Christians in Politics www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk/home. In his video clip the Archbishop of York Right Revd John Sentamu encourages
Christians ‘to vote, to engage, to converse, to discuss’ and says ‘it matters a great deal if all of us who are able to exercise our democratic right are able to turn out’.
Pray: that God's grace and guidence might be given to all engaged in the May 6 election process. (1Ki.4:29)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.invited.to.join.the.party/25650.htm
Christians in the UK are being persecuted – MP
02 Jun 2011
People seem to be able to do whatever they like against Christianity, but not Islam, says one MP. Christian MP David Simpson has raised his concern over the treatment of Christians in the United Kingdom and around the world in a debate in the House of Commons this week. The DUP politician told ministers that if they wanted to see instances of Christian persecution they need not go to other countries but ‘simply look to our own back door'. 'In the United Kingdom, the policy seems to be that people can do whatever they like against Christianity – criticise it or blaspheme the name of Christ – as long as they do not insult Islam,’ he said. ‘It is sad because this country is based on civil and religious liberty for all. When Queen Victoria was on the throne, the secret behind England’s greatness was its open scriptures and open Bible’. Pray: that David’s comments would be listened to and parliament will discern the truth. (Dt.32:28) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.in.the.uk.are.being.persecuted.mp/28044.htm