The Pope’s visit
Regardless of their faith members of the public have been invited to see Pope Benedict XVI. It emerged that he will meet Nick Clegg, who is an atheist, and Harriet Harman, whose Equality Act has angered the Church. The Government is keen to portray the four-day state visit as a historic event that will enhance the country's standing worldwide and to highlight the pontiff's commitment to social justice in order to head off criticism over the costs and the child abuse scandal affecting the Vatican. Lord Patten is overseeing the visit’s planning. He said that the significance of the first-ever state visit by a Pope to Britain was greater than the potential costs. He told a press conference: ‘Even if we had known of the parlous state of the nation's finances, I'm sure that wouldn't have been a consideration because the importance of this visit makes its own claim upon modest public support.’ Pray: that God will use the Pope’s visit in a positive way for many communities. (Ro.8:28)
Increases in crime documented
The statistics set out in Crimestoppers website are shocking in their summaries of the growth over recent years of all types of crime. Crimestoppers is an independent charity working to fight crime and well worth supporting in our view. It has nothing to do with the BBC’s Crimewatch programme. Anonymous information passed to Crimestoppers has led to 100,000 criminals being arrested and charged. This milestone was reached 22 years after the charity was formed in 1988. Anonymity is assured for those offering information about crimes in their area. An example of a local initiative is shown by the well known boxer, Ricky Hatton. He has joined up with Crimestoppers to encourage people in Greater Manchester to rid their community of crime by passing on information to Crimestoppers anonymously. Pray: that Christ’s light will shine into dark places so that justice may be delivered and peace prevail. (Eph.5:8-10) More: http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/latest-crime-statistics
Christians must not be sidelined
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)
We must do more on knife crime
David Cameron hinted at tougher sentences for knife crime in the wake of the latest ‘absolutely horrific’ death of a 15-year-old in London. The fatal stabbing of Zac Olumegbon outside his school in West Norwood on 2 July was raised in Parliament by MP Chuka Umunna. In his response, the Prime Minister referred to a review of sentencing, saying: ‘I'm very clear we do need to have the strongest possible signal about how carrying a knife is just unacceptable. We need to send out a signal that it is not a defensive measure, it's not a cool thing to do. It should not happen and the punishment will be tough’. Mr Cameron said the long-term solution was ‘to give people an alternative to the gangs they are drawn towards, because they don't have other networks and help and hope in their lives. (See 4th item) Three teenagers, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with Zac's murder. Pray: for the Lord to effect changes to the youngsters’ role models. (Mt.18:3)
David Cameron: Church schools ‘under threat’
The Church of England was warned last week that, unless there are further amendments, its 140-year-old partnership with the Government over schools could be ended by the new Academies Bill. The warning came in a client-advice paper from the solicitors that acts for the National Society, the body set up in 1811 to found church schools. The new Bill is potentially the largest change in the provision of education in England since 1870. Before then schools had been provided by voluntary bodies, principally the Church of England. The balance then swung towards state provision; but the new legislation could swing the balance back again to the voluntary sector, says the solicitor’s education specialist. ‘We suppose that the Government would ideally wish to see the end of local authorities as providers of schools. Modifications to the Bill have been by the bishops in the Lords which would increase diocesan boards’ influence over their schools. Pray: that Church schools will continue to underpin the faith of future generations. (Lk.18:16)
Russia: Love of Christ to disadvantaged children
At former communist camping grounds, that once indoctrinated children that there is no God, thousands of needy children across the former Soviet Union will learn about the gift of hope in Christ this summer. At least 5,000 children across Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Chechnya, the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia will take part in at least one hundred camps coordinated by Russian Ministries in the coming months. Since 1999, Russian Ministries has been running their camping programme, bringing hope to thousands of street kids, orphans, children with alcoholic parents, children with disabilities and children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and the ravages of violence and war. ‘Summer camps are the most effective and strategic opportunities for evangelical outreach in order to reach out to the next generation,’ explained Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice President Sergey Rakhuba. Praise: God for this initiative and for all those who will hear His message. (Is.52:7)
Russia: Love of Christ to disadvantaged children
At former communist camping grounds, that once indoctrinated children that there is no God, thousands of needy children across the former Soviet Union will learn about the gift of hope in Christ this summer. At least 5,000 children across Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Chechnya, the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia will take part in at least one hundred camps coordinated by Russian Ministries in the coming months. Since 1999, Russian Ministries has been running their camping programme, bringing hope to thousands of street kids, orphans, children with alcoholic parents, children with disabilities and children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and the ravages of violence and war. ‘Summer camps are the most effective and strategic opportunities for evangelical outreach in order to reach out to the next generation,’ explained Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice President Sergey Rakhuba. Praise: God for this initiative and for all those who will hear His message. (Is.52:7)
S. Asia: Bamboo artisans share Jesus
Nearly every day, five S. Asian tribal women travel to surrounding villages to sell their hand-crafted bamboo items. But when these women go to the markets, they bring something else with them: Jesus. Even though these rural women don’t know how to read, they bring Gospel tracts with them everywhere they go. One week, the women had an extraordinary opportunity before them when they visited one of Laxmi’s relatives, Shalini. She had suffered for more than a year from a tumor in her neck. In faith, the five women shared Jesus’ love with Shalini and prayed for her. God answered their cries and healed Shalini, completely removing the tumor that had plagued her for so long. Shalini and her whole family saw Jesus’ power and chose to follow Him, leaving their old traditions and religious practices to put their trust in the one true God. Six other families in their village also chose Jesus. Praise: God for His wonderful healing power. (Ac.10:38)
S. Asia: Bamboo artisans share Jesus
Nearly every day, five S. Asian tribal women travel to surrounding villages to sell their hand-crafted bamboo items. But when these women go to the markets, they bring something else with them: Jesus. Even though these rural women don’t know how to read, they bring Gospel tracts with them everywhere they go. One week, the women had an extraordinary opportunity before them when they visited one of Laxmi’s relatives, Shalini. She had suffered for more than a year from a tumor in her neck. In faith, the five women shared Jesus’ love with Shalini and prayed for her. God answered their cries and healed Shalini, completely removing the tumor that had plagued her for so long. Shalini and her whole family saw Jesus’ power and chose to follow Him, leaving their old traditions and religious practices to put their trust in the one true God. Six other families in their village also chose Jesus. Praise: God for His wonderful healing power. (Ac.10:38)
Indonesia: Islamist hardliners declare 'war' on 'Christianisation'
Islamist hardliners are using violent talk about the 'Christianisation' of Bekasi, amid rising interfaith tensions in the city. Nine Islamic groups meeting in this West Javan city have reportedly joined forces in a campaign to prepare local mosques to 'wage war' on the growing Christian influence in the city. The group is recommending that each local mosque should form its own laskar or 'paramilitary unit' to enforce Sharia laws or strict Islamic practices on local Muslims – and insisting that the Bekasi administration's policymaking should reflect this code. Hardliners say they are reacting to what they see as a concerted attempt by the church to extend its reach in Bekasi, a commuter city for Jakarta. Mass baptisms of Christians who were raised as Muslims are cited as a particular issue for concern. Church leaders are now calling on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to defend the Christian minority in the face of mounting intimidation. Pray: against moves to revive religious tensions in a nation still recovering from conflict fuelled by jihadists. (Ps.55:9)