Olympic Park Prayer Walk
You are invited to join Christians from East London on the first Saturday of 2012 in a Prayer Walk of the Olympic Park. Saturday 7th January 2012 10.00am - 12.00 midday. The whole route is approximately 1.5 miles and it is expected that the prayer walk will take between one and a half to two hours, with stops for prayer at key points. Members of the More than Gold Prayer Team and others will be leading in prayer for the Olympics, Paralympics and the main Olympic site. No need to book - just turn up! Full details of where to meet, transport and parking can be found on the ‘More’ link. For those who are unable to attend please join them in prayer wherever you are.'
Pray: for all those who are coming together to pray that God would guide their prayers. (Ps.25:5)
More: http://prayerforum.org/news/national/olympic-park-prayer-walk/
The welfare state must be preserved
In an open letter published in the Observer on Sunday, 18 bishops ask for amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill now going through Parliament. The letter says that as a result of the proposed cap on benefits, an estimated 210,000 children may be pushed into ‘severe poverty’ and another 80,000 made homeless. The bishops write: ‘Such an impact is profoundly unjust.’ The letter follows reports that millions of benefit claimants are likely to lose between £50 to £100 each next year if the historic link between the rate of inflation and welfare payments is broken. This hits the youngest in families on the breadline the hardest. As the bishops write, they ‘have no voice’. In a time of austerity, the Observer believes it is a valid exercise to prioritise which aspects of universalism to retain but it is essential that the principle itself continues to dominate the shape of our welfare state.
Pray: that the government would consider the needs of the young plus the elderly and not emphasise one over the other. (Ph.4:19)
Armed Forces 'Notifying' and 'Visiting' Officers
The Casualty Notifying Officer is the person, usually from the regiment, who tells the next of kin of the death of or injury to a soldier. A Visiting Officer is also appointed from the regiment to offer practical help and support during this difficult time and give guidance and advice when necessary. This officer will explain what help is available and can be contacted as often as needed. Many of these officers are young Lieutenants and Captains and although trained for this particular role some could be involved for a long time, 12 months or more.
Pray: for these officers in this extremely difficult role. Pray for God to give them wisdom beyond their years and sensitivity and compassion in handling the bereaved. (Pr.3:13)
More: http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/publications/misc/death_in_service.pdf
Christians' future in secular Europe
Christians have been told they must find a framework for promoting their beliefs if they are to confront the challenge of aggressive secularisation and the erosion of Christian values across all spheres of life. Opening the Beyond Individualism conference on Friday, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said it was ‘amazing’ that a Christian nurse in Britain today could be suspended for offering to pray for a patient, when it was Christians who had set in place many of the institutions and public services now taken for granted. He warned that the Christian values inherent in Europe’s heritage have been eroded by a process of ‘aggressive secularisation’ that Christians must understand if they are to challenge it. While politicians offer ‘thin’ values like respect and tolerance, the bishop said such ‘political mantras’ were ‘not enough for society to be cohesive’.
Pray: that the Church will take its rightful place in Europe and not give way to aggressive secularism. (Ep.3:16)
