Displaying items by tag: Politics

Friday, 16 June 2017 11:26

Brexit negotiations: who to pray for

EU institutions playing a significant role in the Brexit negotiations are: a) the European Council,which defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU and consists of the heads of state or government of member states, together with the President of the European Commission. b) the Council of the EU, which represents member states' governments. That is where ministers from EU countries meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies. They play a key role in negotiating and approving EU legislation and international agreements; c) the European Commission, the only institution with the authority to initiate legislation in most areas. It draws on input from a variety of other bodies; d) the European Parliament, comprising 751 MEPs elected by citizens of the 28 member states. Its role is to scrutinise, amend and vote on legislation.

Published in Europe
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Pro-family advocates are in an uproar over a newly-passed bill which allows the government to take children away from parents who don't support the LGBT ideology. The bill replaces the Child and Family Services Act which covered child protection, adoption and foster care services. While the old act allowed parents to direct their child's education and religious upbringing, Bill 89 does not take into account the religious faith in which parents will bring up their child. Jack Fonseca, senior political strategist for Campaign for Life Coalition, urged Christian parents to resist the bill and to ask their religious leaders to stand up for the protection of parental rights.

Published in Worldwide
Friday, 09 June 2017 12:46

God bless our Government

Our election has resulted in a hung parliament and the prospect of a minority government - so there is all the more reason to pray. ‘Father, we ask You to bless our new Government, so that the United Kingdom will display God’s Kingdom in all decisions made by our politicians. Bless them and their advisors with clarity and wisdom. Father, bless and anoint our politicians as they settle into their new responsibilities. We pray that You will give the Prime Minister supernatural revelation and strategies from heaven that will lead this country easily and purposefully into and beyond Brexit. Father God, we ask you to raise up Josephs, Daniels and Esthers in governmental circles, and anoint them to bring about the revisions and transformations that are exactly what we need in this uncertain season that we are entering. Father, Your word says, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall” (Matthew 12:25). Lord, bless our MPs with unity and vision.’

(written by Linda Digby of Prayer Alert)

Published in British Isles
Friday, 02 June 2017 00:19

Intercessors’ focus

With an election on 8 June and police more visible on our streets, we need to keep steadfastly focussed upon God. When we unwaveringly ‘know’ His presence, we have renewed strength to intercede for our lands with heaven-inspired love, confidence and power. Now is the time for us to call on God with boldness to raise up the wise leaders and political advisors that the nation needs - men and women of common sense who are able to keep pace with the fast-moving changes in public affairs and European negotiations that are to come. Also, more than ever, we need to pray for our police and all those working in the front line to keep us safe. They need reliable astute support from their line managers and those in consultative roles. May God raise up and anoint trustworthy people to step into key leadership positions at the helm of the UK. (written by Linda Digby - Prayer Alert team)

Published in British Isles
Friday, 02 June 2017 00:14

School struggling to balance the books

It is half-term, but Tanbridge House School (in West Sussex) is open and teachers have come in to hold revision classes for pupils who will soon take their GCSEs. Another group is on a trip to Berlin, and last week pupils were taken to the West End to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This state secondary school, specialising in science, maths, and computing, is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, and its results place it in the top 5% of schools across the country. However, the head teacher warns that it may have to go down to a four-day week because he can no longer afford to employ enough teachers, due to funding cuts. They have had to lay off three teachers and five support staff, and increase class sizes.

Published in British Isles
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Friday, 02 June 2017 00:11

Government needs to stand up for Christians

The UK will hold a general election on 8 June, which will put in place a new government. Barnabas Fund is calling on all political parties to make specific commitments to help persecuted Christians. It has launched a manifesto, endorsed by church leaders and peers from across the political spectrum, which calls on the next government to take specific actions to address the genocide of Christians in the Middle East. We are called to pray and ask that the Lord - who is God of kings and governments (Daniel 2:47) - to establish in authority those who will act justly. Pray that the Government will give priority to responding to the persecution of Christians, instead of focusing on ‘equality’ issues which see anti-Christian discrimination sidelined.

Published in British Isles
Friday, 02 June 2017 00:06

Power to ban jihadists used just once

Home secretary Amber Rudd has said that a key power intended to control British jihadists has only been used once, despite the return of about 350 fighters from IS. Under Temporary Exclusion Orders (TEOs), British citizens suspected of fighting abroad can be banned from returning to the UK for up to two years. Their travel documents can be cancelled, and they can be refused re-entry unless they agree to restrictions such as enrolling on a deradicalisation programme or reporting to police on a regular basis. The sole subject of a TEO is believed to be a male who fought for IS. More TEOs are under consideration, but ‘no more than four or five’, according to sources. To date dozens of suspects have had passports confiscated for national security reasons, and seven suspects living in the UK are subjected to TPIMs (Terrorism and Prevention and Investigation Measures), which restrict their movements and activities.

Published in British Isles

Brussels, which he called a ‘hellhole,’ the European Union, which he called ‘a vehicle for Germany,’ and NATO, which he called ‘obsolete,’ welcomed President Trump on Wednesday. Security was tight after the Manchester terrorist attack on Monday, with police brought in from all over Belgium and some neighbouring countries. The two-day visit was studded with deliberately brief meetings and only modest substance. This was a chance for President Trump to meet and greet about thirty European leaders, and for them to try to get him to understand more fully the importance of the EU and NATO in keeping the peace. They hope for praise and support from Mr Trump, who has aligned himself more with the critics of the EU.

Published in Europe
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Friday, 26 May 2017 11:12

Israel: Netanyahu sees hope for peace

This week, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope for the possibility of a diplomatic resolution with the Palestinians, and with the Arab world in general, under Donald Trump’s tutelage. Speaking at a festive dinner at his residence in Jerusalem, Mr Netanyahu told Mr Trump that he looked forward to working closely with him to advance peace in the region - ‘because you have noted so succinctly that common dangers are turning former enemies into partners’. Mr Netanyahu was referring to the reported change in the stance of Sunni Arab states in the region, who are shifting away from animosity towards Israel towards a possible working relationship.

Published in Worldwide

Recently, members of the Sudan Church of Christ gathered for worship in the Khartoum suburb of Soba al Aradi. Before the service began, a bulldozer rumbled toward the church and demolished it, the last church still standing in the area. In 2011, the Sudanese government demolished twelve churches in the same suburb, as part of its announced plan to destroy 27 churches. Sudan’s president, Umar al-Bashir, has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes. Nevertheless, he continues his campaign to rid Sudan of Christians, demolishing church buildings around Khartoum and routinely bombing Christian villages in the Nuba Mountains to the south. Pray for pastors who are experiencing persecution and have had property confiscated, for Christians in various prisons throughout Sudan, and for Christian communities experiencing bombing campaigns in their schools and hospitals.

Published in Worldwide