A National Day of Prayer took place on Wednesday, with congregations and presbyteries coming together to engage in praying together for the Church in Scotland and beyond. ‘Mission is an absolute paradox - we are tasked, by God, to do the impossible,’ said Free Church mission director David Meredith. ‘Our immediate context of ministry is an increasingly secular Scotland which sees no need of God. The majority of people rest in an indifference towards Christianity which morphs into antagonism if the gospel is presented firmly and with conviction. The power of God, which is accessed through Spirit-led intercessory prayer, can effect radical change in our communities. We began the day with an honest assessment that we have sinned, and that the “success” of many of our churches will be nothing but smoke and mirrors without the work of the Holy Spirit.’

A Ugandan pastor, severely injured by Islamic opponents of his faith, made an appeal for British Christians to help their persecuted brothers across the world. Umar Mulinde was badly burned by an acid attack outside his church. During a brief tour of the UK he spoke out - a challenge which coincided with reports of an assassination attempt on Baroness Caroline Cox in Nigeria by Fulani Islamic militants. Baroness Cox, a committed Christian, is a religious freedom campaigner and cross-bench member of the House of Lords. Umar’s plea also comes amid ongoing violence against Christians in Uganda. He warned, ‘Even in the UK, former Muslims who have converted to Christianity are not safe.’ He mentioned Nissar Hussain whose family had to be moved under police protection following years of harassment. ‘No country can say they are safe. It’s a matter of time. This is not prophecy; it’s reality. The UK is sitting on a time-bomb.’

Recently Prayer-Alert readers were asked to pray about the BBC reduction in Christian programming: http://www.prayer-alert.net/british-isles-ireland-pa-site/item/8828-bbc-reduction-in-christian-programming. This week BBC producer and presenter Roger Bolton said the BBC is ‘failing at a time of global crisis to take religion seriously’, adding, ‘it’s essential for the public, young people and immigrants to understand the crucial role of Christianity in the formation of British culture’. Many believe the BBC’s programming policy should reflect the core values of this nation - as unique to, and derived from, Christianity. They also believe that Christianity should be given more airtime than minority faiths. Bolton also said the lack of an experienced, dedicated head of religion and ethics was a strange contrast when BBC has ‘editors for almost everything under the sun’. Voice for Justice UK said this week, ‘Christianity has been ‘ideologically downgraded and marginalised in the media in recent years.’ They have now released a petition for Christians to sign on this issue, to be sent to the Government minister for culture, media and sport.

Corruption, family breakdown, immorality, poverty, debt, addictions, and crime affect and ruin people’s lives. Praise God that the Christian voluntary sector is doing much to alleviate needs and improve situations, but the Church also needs to develop a more powerful prophetic voice. Pray for Christians working in commerce, industry, government offices, NHS, social services, police, and wherever God has placed them, to speak out against injustice and corruption in the workplace and their communities. As the prophets were unafraid to say, ‘Woe to you who call evil good and good evil’, may we make our voices heard in the midst of today’s noises. Pray for a fresh anointing of power and love on intercessors to plead for our nation and the people around us. As we pray, ‘Lord, do something’, may we also pray, ‘Lord, what can I do?’